I think for people who are ashamed of their deafness feel that being called "deaf" is offensive. I grew up so ashamed of my deafness because I was mainstreamed in a strictly oral-only environment and was also taught that being deaf was a terrible thing so if anyone called me "deaf", I would get upset. The reason for that was cuz I was in BIG time denial about my deafness. When I finally learned ASL and discovered the Deaf community, I realized that being deaf was ok and also realized how degrading the term "hearing-impaired" had been for me all of my life. So, since that "wake-up" moment, I have desested that term "hearing-impaired" ever since.
All of my friends in the Deaf community deset that term too.
I do not find the word "deaf" offensive either...
Same here.I like to call myself deaf too, because I really am. I don't like the term "hearing impaired" either.
I do notice that most hearies (not here on AD, but just in general) have a different perspective - they think "deaf" sounds worse than "hearing impaired", as to them, "deaf" sounds REALLY impaired. But I think that's just a matter of ignorance on their part.
Hello,
I'm new here, and I came across this topic and decided to post here first.
The term does not offend me, as a specific and logical reference to a particular state. Humans, like most land dwelling beings, are 'designed' for hearing.
'Normally' would hear, but not hearing, for whatever reason = an impairment of hearing. It is not a label, not is it meant to have a negative connotation (in my mind). That's just how it is, and there may be times when it is needed to refer to (hence a forum such as this one?) so it is logical to refer it into an accurate and concise term. Yes, we are 'still human' and whatnot, but I find that distinction irrelevant to what this term is meant to be used for anyway. It is not primarily for identification.
It's like saying a can of soup has soup in it.... It might say Minestrone, but it is also canned soup.
And as far as "blind" goes, being classified as 'deaf/blind' myself, I tend to prefer 'low vision' or 'vision impaired' if it is necessary to point out, simply to keep it clear due to the fact that for many people 'blind' = 'can't see' (as in total lack of sight) which is not the case with me.
I have to disagree that it is not a term primarily intended for identification. It is used by the hearing to identifiy the non-hearing, and terminlogy used is dependent upon attitude toward that particular group.
Soup does not suffer the consequences of labling as do people.