ecp
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2004
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- 622
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Many marganilized communities have sought to "reclaim" terminology that have generally been used to refer to them in a derogatory sense in order to empower themselves.
Why can't we do th same with "hearing impaired".
Yes, for decades it has been a somewhat derogatory term because it defines us by what we cannot do BUT it is often an accurate descriptor.
Many young deaf people, myself included, use both sign language and speech, with the help of advanced technology.
Many of us feel judged by others in the Deaf community (who may be able to benefit from hearin technology but choose not to) because we use the resources we have to stake a claim in both worlds.
To my point, why is "hearing impaired" such a naughty term?
I know I'm supposed to describe myself as either "deaf" or "hard of hearing" but those are also terms that define me by what I can't do. I can't hear. My hearing (in scientific terms, my cochlea is impaired) is impaired. It doesn't work.
When I say I'm deaf, people (both hearing and d/Deaf) are surprised when I speak. When I say I'm hard of hearing, people just shout at me like they shout at their hard of hearing grandfather.
Haring impaired is the term that describes me best. I have profound hearing loss but I don't feel welcomed by the Deaf community so using "deaf" seems wrong. I am also only in my 20s so HOH seems equally wrong.
I'm ECP, my hearing is impaired. I exist in no man's land. I am not alone.
Why can't we do th same with "hearing impaired".
Yes, for decades it has been a somewhat derogatory term because it defines us by what we cannot do BUT it is often an accurate descriptor.
Many young deaf people, myself included, use both sign language and speech, with the help of advanced technology.
Many of us feel judged by others in the Deaf community (who may be able to benefit from hearin technology but choose not to) because we use the resources we have to stake a claim in both worlds.
To my point, why is "hearing impaired" such a naughty term?
I know I'm supposed to describe myself as either "deaf" or "hard of hearing" but those are also terms that define me by what I can't do. I can't hear. My hearing (in scientific terms, my cochlea is impaired) is impaired. It doesn't work.
When I say I'm deaf, people (both hearing and d/Deaf) are surprised when I speak. When I say I'm hard of hearing, people just shout at me like they shout at their hard of hearing grandfather.
Haring impaired is the term that describes me best. I have profound hearing loss but I don't feel welcomed by the Deaf community so using "deaf" seems wrong. I am also only in my 20s so HOH seems equally wrong.
I'm ECP, my hearing is impaired. I exist in no man's land. I am not alone.