"Hearing Impaired" = offensive?

Tousi said:
But I think we should try and educate at every opportunity.
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I would agree if it weren't so tiring and time consuming. I wish more people understood deafness and its complexity. But when I'm at the checkout counter at the grocery store, and the cashier says something repeatedly, and I tell her I'm deaf...I'd rather not make it into a lesson, I just want to go home. I might give a short response if I have time or if the person seems understanding.

I've had a case where I was at the store, and the lady WOULD NOT believe I was deaf because I sound hearing when I speak. I told her that there are some deaf people who choose to speak, and some who don't. That's all I said to her, because this lady had a bad attitude. That's a case where I don't really want to educate her--I tried, and she kept firing offensive questions at me.
 
kokonut said:
Apathic? Interesting response.
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She probably meant apathetic. I've heard it used that way too. You knew what she meant anyway.

All she meant was that she asked if you were a deafie or hearie, and you didn't directly answer--you said "certainly not a hearie," but we all know you do not identify as deaf. She just wanted a simple answer-- "I'm HOH."
 
TheWriteAlex said:
I was just wondering if you walk the walk. Pardon me, but I just find it hard to believe that you will take the time to "educate" a hearing person about your hearing loss at every interaction. If you really do, that's amazing, and you must be a very patient individual.

I agree it's a good idea, but for me it's not even remotely practical. There are just so many situations where trying to explain would be even more awkward than just saying "I'm deaf."


I should add: this is one reason why I am a writer; I write about hearing loss, and I feel I can reach far more people in that medium that trying to educate every stranger I come across on the street or in stores.
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I don't need to at every interaction because I might have a problem about half the time and setting the record straight only takes me about 5 seconds. It isn't very often that a chance conversation will engender expansion but I oblige when it occurs.
 
natty_4ever said:
She probably meant apathetic. I've heard it used that way too. You knew what she meant anyway.

All she meant was that she asked if you were a deafie or hearie, and you didn't directly answer--you said "certainly not a hearie," but we all know you do not identify as deaf. She just wanted a simple answer-- "I'm HOH."
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I know. Not the spelling but the response in using that word. Oh, I'm deaf. Just that I identify myself as a hoh. If I'm not a "hearie" then that answers her question.
 
Tousi said:
I don't need to at every interaction because I might have a problem about half the time and setting the record straight only takes me about 5 seconds. It isn't very often that a chance conversation will engender expansion but I oblige when it occurs.
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Well that seems more in line with what I said the first time. If a hearing stranger becomes curious and wants to ask me questions about my loss, especially if they seem genuine in their interest, I will certainly give them a friendly little lesson. This is different, however, from just volunteering up information to every hearie that you have to ask to repeat themselves.
 
TheWriteAlex said:
Well that seems more in line with what I said the first time. If a hearing stranger becomes curious and wants to ask me questions about my loss, especially if they seem genuine in their interest, I will certainly give them a friendly little lesson. This is different, however, from just volunteering up information to every hearie that you have to ask to repeat themselves.
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then make a FAQ card with a link to deaf website that will answer his question :)
 
Jiro said:
then make a FAQ card with a link to deaf website that will answer his question :)
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My club and I going to do that around my school to give to faculty and staff who we might interact with, or those who might see D/HOH people every so often. It's up to them if they want to do that elsewhere too. I've had a few bad experiences with the staff at my college, so I'd be glad to hand them a card on how to talk to us and what not to do! Perhaps that would be better for something that isn't an immediate issue.
 
natty_4ever said:
My club and I going to do that around my school to give to faculty and staff who we might interact with, or those who might see D/HOH people every so often. It's up to them if they want to do that elsewhere too. I've had a few bad experiences with the staff at my college, so I'd be glad to hand them a card on how to talk to us and what not to do! Perhaps that would be better for something that isn't an immediate issue.
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let me know if you would like me to create a FAQ site for you and your club. free of charge.
 
most hearing people will have a better understanding of the term deaf than HOh or hearing impaired. i use deaf so i don't have to go into a song and dance on different types of hearing problems.
you can call me deaf, you can call me dumb, you can call me ugly, but don"t call me late to dinner
 
posts from hell said:
people who arent bothered by the hearing views on deafness are pretty much passive.....
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Alright, some deaf people are being bothered by the stereotype among some of the hearing that all with an hearing loss use ASL...

So, you see it works both ways...;)
 
Wirelessly posted

So, I am guessing the non-ASLers don't mind being treated as mentally slow when they can't hear everything if they are bothered by the signing stereotype.
 
souggy said:
Wirelessly posted

So, I am guessing the non-ASLers don't mind being treated as mentally slow when they can't hear everything if they are bothered by the signing stereotype.
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"Hearing impaired" is not "mentally impaired" just as "visually impaired" has nothing to do with "mentally impaired."
 
kokonut said:
I know. Not the spelling but the response in using that word. Oh, I'm deaf. Just that I identify myself as a hoh. If I'm not a "hearie" then that answers her question.
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well, I never consider HOH people, especially with HAs deaf. with HAs, you can hear. deaf means you can't hear. even with HAs.

I'd like a simple (specific) answer and but when you only said "not a hearie," I thought two things; 1) you did not liked being called hearie (again, you might would have quoted that word and insert a source why), and/or 2) that you're deaf/ASLer but not HOH with HAs.

so, why was my response interesting?
 
natty_4ever said:
I would agree if it weren't so tiring and time consuming. I wish more people understood deafness and its complexity. But when I'm at the checkout counter at the grocery store, and the cashier says something repeatedly, and I tell her I'm deaf...I'd rather not make it into a lesson, I just want to go home. I might give a short response if I have time or if the person seems understanding.

I've had a case where I was at the store, and the lady WOULD NOT believe I was deaf because I sound hearing when I speak. I told her that there are some deaf people who choose to speak, and some who don't. That's all I said to her, because this lady had a bad attitude. That's a case where I don't really want to educate her--I tried, and she kept firing offensive questions at me.
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I understand how you feel about this. I don't think I'll be calm enough to ask for paper and pen when there are people in a line behind me! I think I'm going to make few laminated card with brief description to please to not address or jot me down as hearing impaired. and difference between it and deaf. hand it to her/him if I saw that term again and leave.

this way we'd not waste our time educating those thicken-minded people. they can help themselves throwing the card on floor then we can hope a different person picks it up. :) those people who want to understand and respect will learn quickly.
 
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