Is it rude to call a deaf person 'Deaf'? Assuming you can speak ASL...?

Question

Is that a politically incorrect term, such as calling a black person black vs African American. Should we say Hearing Impaired instead of deaf?

I don't mean what we hearing people would think among ourselves, I mean what would a deaf person actually think about this?

I don't know ASL, I'm wondering about someone who does, and would actually talk with a deaf person...what would they refer to them as.

Thanks for the answers though. There's only one sign for deaf, that answers my question!

Answer 1

I am a fluent ASL user, and am very involved within the Deaf community. Deaf people prefer to be called Deaf..period. When I use the "D" for deaf, it is referring to culturally Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) and have a Deaf identity. Some also are called hard-of-hearing (hoh)...Deaf/hard-of hearing are the appropriate terms, ( often abbreviated D/Hoh, or D/HH in education.) People who have a hearing loss, but don't identify with the Deaf community, may prefer to be for people to say that they have a hearing problem or that they are hearing impaired, but those labels, especially the latter, are detested in the Deaf community. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Political correctness is a mess! Not being able to hear is a disability, perhaps the word deaf isn't liked because the word itself is like dead. I don't know, but it is silly. And being deaf, does not mean you are also mute, necessarily. So a person might not hear, but can speak and read lips, and not need ASL. Hearing impaired is the popular term, but I'm not sure who insisted on it, the hearing or non-hearing people. Probably the hearing group of bleeding hearts, and maybe the hearing impaired could care less.

Being able to use ASL, or another sign language is an ABILITY! The positive. Deaf and mute people may have the ability to write beautifully, perhaps in many languages, they may have the ability to paint and express deep feelings. Having one disability doesn't necessarily affect all the abilities people have.

Answer 3

I'm hearing impaired. I wear hearing aids. I would not mind someone calling me deaf but I'm not...yet.

If someone did call me deaf, I don't think I would really care. People usually just say I have a hearing problem.

Most deaf people I know don't mind when they are called deaf. They are just so used to it.

I know some ASL but I was raised in a hearing world. I can speak normally and I use lip reading when I can't understand what someone is saying to me. The only times I use ASL is when I'm talking with someone who can't read lips.

The one thing to remember when conversing with someone who deaf or hearing impaired is to look directly at them. Maintain eye contact. Speak face to face. When you turn your head or look away, it impedes our ability to read your lips.

Answer 4

There's not a single derogatory or insulting thing about using the word "deaf." It's simply describing a condition.

Sometimes making a concerted effort to use the "PC" terminology can come across as condescending, even if you don't mean for it to. Mostly because it's not something you'd normally say, and it sounds like you're being patronizing to them. Go with what you are comfortable with. As long as you are treating the other person with sincerity, respect and courtesy, you'll be just fine.

Answer 5

They do not take offense at being asked if they are Deaf/deaf. If they prefer to say they are hearing impaired they will tell you! I was taught always to ask, "Are you Deaf/deaf" and not hearing impaired.

Answer 6

The correct expression is 'hearing impared' simply because there are so many degrees of it.

It isn't rude though. Call a spade a spade.

Answer 7

No, call them deaf, or you'll sound like a social worker idiot.

Answer 8

I would refer to them by their name.

Answer 9

No, they know they are deaf.

Answer 10

If you speak ASL, ask them what they prefer.