Hard of Hearing OR Hearing Impaired ... WHY?

Question

Which term do you think is more appropriate: Hard of Hearing OR Hearing Impaired. Why must one with a loss of the sense of hearing be labeled "impaired"?

I posed this question in several forums cuz I am curious of people's perceptions. I am Hard of Hearing, am a board member of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing service agency, and Managing Editor of a Deaf/HofH group at work.
I am severely (almost profound) Hard of Hearing and wear two very powerful HAs, so I even say I am Deaf, but aidable.
I absolutely detest "Hrg Impaired" however, some HofH people do not and use it to describe themselves. I think it has negative connotations cuz ppl associate "impairment" with something being wrong with you, including your mental capacity and intelligence. Take it from me, I have experienced this!
SO do not use "hearing impaired"; "Hard of Hearing" is more appropriate.

A couple of really good answers so far, also a couple of really naive and uninformed ones too!
Experiences described, I have had them too!!
I am part of Deaf culture, I know ASL and have Deaf friends.
I also lead an ASL group for all who know some and want to learn more in ASL monthly. This group consists of Deaf, HofH, and hearing who know ASL and want to learn more and practice it.

Answer 1

From the day of my birth, I have had ears that do not hear as well as other people. I prefer the term hard of hearing simply because I feel most people get the message better. I wonder why you ask this question and whether you would like more information on dealing with someone who needs help hearing. In case you do, let me give you some pointers. When in public with me, if I do not hear or understand what was said, tell ME the information rather than ask a person to repeat himself. Keep an eye out for anyone speaking to me, and be ready to assist if I need help. Come close to me and do not cover your mouth while you talk to me, because I need the combination of some sound and also lip movements to hear what is being said. A lot of times my kids have been with me and when someone is asked to repeat himself, he starts to slow and or dumb down the conversation. This sets off a scornful statement, 'she's deaf, not stupid!. All the more reason to just repeat what was said. Although I do love their loyalty. The bottom line as far as terms, I feel people are more embarrassed by hearing the words, 'hearing impaired,' than hard of hearing. I take all this in stride because I have been partially deaf since I was born, but I did have one encounter that makes me laugh. The young receptionist had one of those wispy little mewly voices and I was totally lost, so I asked her to please speak up. She repeated the words, but I still could not make heads or tails, so I repeated my request. She then whined, 'I'm talking as loud as I can.' This did set me off just a tad and I leaned into her face and said," then get me someone who can talk louder right now."

Answer 2

You have another choice - deaf.

I can't hear well. My ears don't make sense of sound very well. So they are impaired - it is as simple as that. So my hearing is impaired. I have a hearing impairment. I do not consider myself to be "hearing impaired". I also don't say I am hard of hearing. I say I am deaf.

Most people are mistaken and think that people who are deaf cannot hear anything at all. Most people who are deaf can hear some sound. Some can make more sense out of the sound than others can.

Some just need the volume increased of what they hear and they hear OK - then hard of hearing is an OK label. This is usually older people who acquire their deafness later in life.

But it can be loud and I can still not understand it. I can hear the sound, but not know where it is coming from or make sense of it.

So I say I am deaf.

Answer 3

Impairment in any part of the body can lead to disability in performing certain tasks but it need not do so. The term deaf suggests disability but the hearing impaired person may have no such disability. That is the politically correct argument.
Many hearing impaired people prefer to call themselves Deaf with a capital D. They have their own language, Deaf culture differs from hearing culture and many would suggest they are in no way impaired within their own culture.
Use the term that you and others you are with are comfortable with.

Answer 4

I think it just sounds nicer to say hearing impaired. Deaf is OK too. If you say deaf maybe that means hears nothing.

Answer 5

There is no shame in being hearing impaired or vision impaired. Some people consider "deaf" or "hard of hearing" to have negative connotations.

Answer 6

hearing impared is appropriate if ur around someone with a hearing aid

hard of hearing is someone whos stupid an just doesnt listen so they pretend they cant hear