From the article: Hearing Impaired - Why You Shouldn't Use Hearing Impaired
How do you feel when someone describes you as having a hearing impairment instead of as being deaf or hard of hearing? How do you react? What tips would you give others on how to handle being called "hearing impaired?"
People with hearing loss often have to take hearing tests. Learn about hearing tests.
Don't Call Me Impaired
- I don't like the word. If I label myself I prefer hard of hearing or even deaf.
- —ians1958
Not Inferior
- I am profoundly deaf and have never understood why deafness should define people. I wear glasses because my vision is impaired but that doesn't define me and it certainly doesn't offend me to be described as being visually impaired. It is just a fact, not who I am. Why should it offend me to be described as hearing impaired also. If you are deaf, your hearing is impaired or whatever other word you prefer to say it doesn't work. This is a very basic situation of a body part not functioning. All humans were intended to have five senses and one of them doesn't work for those of us who are deaf. Isn't it denial and simply a matter of semantics to say otherwise and say it is not important. It certainly is important to me. I can`t hear a fire alarm, a child`s first word or a loved one`s last words because my hearing is impaired. It doesn't work. It is something I have to deal with. I don`t think of myself as inferior in any way but there is nothing good or positive about either.
- —boetie194
Hearing Impaired
- Hearing impaired just meaning loss of hearing not other impaired for it. I rather called being deaf period due impaired people get confuse for other meaning of it.
- —Rosie2011
Impaired??
- I simply tell them that there is nothing "impaired" with me so please call me Deaf, thank you!
- —Guest Proud Deaf person
Wrong Words
- I think hearing people or doctor wrote a wrong words meaning that Deaf is discrmination and think Deaf is bad example. I keep telling them, It is wrong words for me to call Hearing Impaired. Deaf is only one that it has been label many many years. When did it changed to Hearing Impaired? I did not know until someone labeled at me. I say Wrong words meaning. You have to explained to better example. I do not like the words Hearing Impairment is not make a sense for deaf community.
- —Guest Deaf Pixie
