deaf ppl...?

Question

I have some questions to deaf/hard-of-hearing ppl in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.

I apologize in ahead of time if I offend anyone but what is the "politically correct" term for deaf ppl?

(1) the deaf
(2) the hearing-impaired
(3) anything else?

Do you have a preference or is there a politically correct way to refer them?

Answer 1

deaf:
A medical/audiological term referring to those people who have little or no functional hearing. May also be used as a collective noun ("the deaf") to refer to people who are medically deaf but who do not necessarily identify with the Deaf community.

Deaf (with capital D):
A sociological term referring to those individuals who are medically deaf or hard of hearing who identify with and participate in the culture, society, and language of Deaf people, which is based on Sign language. Their preferred mode of communication is Sign.

deafened (Also known as late-deafened.):
This is both a medical and a sociological term referring to individuals who have become deaf later in life and who may not be able to identify with either the Deaf or the hard of hearing communities.

hard of hearing:
A person whose hearing loss ranges from mild to profound and whose usual means of communication is speech. It is both a medical and a sociological term.

hearing impaired:
This term is not acceptable in referring to people with a hearing loss. It should never be used in referring to Deaf people. "Hearing impaired" is a medical condition; it is not a collective noun for people who have varying degrees of hearing loss. It fails to recognize the differences between the Deaf and the hard of hearing communities.

person who is deaf :
Acceptable but overly sensitive substitute for "deaf".

manual deaf, Signing deaf:
A deaf person whose preferred mode of communication is Sign language.

oral deaf:
A deaf person whose preferred mode of communication is verbal and auditory and/or lipreading. An oral deaf person who can both Sign and speak can be considered "Deaf" if he/she is accepted as such by other Deaf persons and uses Sign within the Deaf community.

deaf-mute:
Unacceptable. A deaf person may choose not to use his/her voice; this does not make him/her a "mute".

deaf and dumb:
Offensive.

Deaf-plus:
Although it has been used for many years to refer to people who have disabilities in addition to deafness, the preferred terms now are "Deaf with mental disabilities", "Deaf-blind", "Deaf with CP", etc.

Answer 2

Deaf members of this community have a strong sense of identity as a Deaf person. They feel ‘at home’ with being deaf and find a commonality with other Deaf people in their use of the sign language. Similar Deaf communities exist everywhere in the world. Deaf people have evolved into strong communities and have developed sign languages throughout history.

Answer 3

A lot of deaf people find the term "hearing impaired" offensive. The most PC term used nowadays is "hard of hearing."

Answer 4

Deaf is fine in the USA. It's culturally accepted and used. The word "hearing -imparied" is more insulting. It's like you're emphasizing what is wrong with us albeit the word "impaired." I think it's stupid that we go around labeling people based on what they don't have.

In India, it is common that they use the words "deaf and dumb." We in the USA do not like the word "dumb." To call us "deaf and mute" or "deaf and dumb" is insulting. I asked an Indian friend why they always use "dumb." He explained it means one who cannot speak. Whereas here the word "dumb" means one who is stupid. So this is a case of one word meaning two different things in two different countries.

Answer 5

I'm completely deaf in one ear but can hear fine in the other, so people don't generally know unless I tell them. I am not offended by the word 'deaf' (as in partially deaf, or deaf in one ear). It's a valid word, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Answer 6

Iam profundly deaf so using the term "Deaf" is perfectly acceptable as long you dont use the old fashisoned term "Deaf and Dumb"! Dont worry about using "Deaf" !

Answer 7

(2) the hearing-impaired

Answer 8

hi

Answer 9

by fact the spouse a a deaf guy (who isn't getting ssi, btw), you haven't any longer any thought how screwy the paintings tension is for the listening to impaired. He has to paintings 60+ hours/week at 2 jobs to make a million/2 of what a common listening to guy with equivalent adventure and coaching will make in one job. If those persons have become SSI to help in making ends meet (it relatively is supplemental, no longer adequate to outlive), I say extra skill to them. by fact deafness isn't seen comparable to blindness (can we get a ruin on our taxes like we would if he have been blind . . . NOPE), it relatively is a complicated existence, yet think of on the subject of how you may sense in case you lost your skill to communicate. extra human beings can communicate Spanish than sign. That being stated, am I chuffed being in a mixed listening to marriage? Yep. I study lots from his persistence and perserverance on a daily basis.

Answer 10

friend, neighbor, buddy etc. Why must you refer to their physical impairment!!