Hearing Impaired

mizJade said:
I have never been offended by the labeling of "hearing impaired" ever. I've always called myself hearing impaired since I was 4 years old. and I'm 19 now. I didn't hear of the term " hard of hearing" until I was in like middle school, its sounds awkward to me and HOH? Never heard of that... WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE I DON'T UNDERSTAND! and the funny thing about this whole topic is that, for me when I was growing up... its was switched backwards. I HATED it when people said I was deaf. You dont call someone with glasses or contacts "blind" do you? You dont call someone with a learning disability "mentally handicap". When someone is deaf, they hear NOTHING. when someone is blind they see NOTHING. I am not deaf. because I CAN hear ..but I just have a 60%percentage loss in one ear and a 40% loss in the other. When someone says what is hearing impaired? I say it just means I can't hear as well as someone who has normal hearing. The definition of the impairment: Weakening, damage. So please explain why is it offensive. and PLEASE what is the deal with HOH?thank you!:wave:
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Some people understand "hearing impaired" over "deaf", while others understand "deaf" better than "hearing impaired". I've been in similar situations where someone will ask me what's wrong. Sometimes, "I'm deaf" will get a "Death?" from them. Sometimes, "I'm hard-of-hearing" will get a "Huh?" by them. Sometimes, "I'm hearing impaired" will get "What's that?" from them. It varies.

Some people are easily offended, while others aren't. If they are, simply apologize and remember to use the appropriate term with them in the future. :)
 
deafbajagal said:
If someone calls me "hearing impaired," I correct them right on the spot. I'd rather have my underwear stuck between my crack than accept that term in reference to me.

I'm Deaf.
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Lol! I feel the same too! :cheers:
 
mizJade said:
I have never been offended by the labeling of "hearing impaired" ever. I've always called myself hearing impaired since I was 4 years old. and I'm 19 now. I didn't hear of the term " hard of hearing" until I was in like middle school, its sounds awkward to me and HOH? Never heard of that... WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE I DON'T UNDERSTAND! and the funny thing about this whole topic is that, for me when I was growing up... its was switched backwards. I HATED it when people said I was deaf. You dont call someone with glasses or contacts "blind" do you? You dont call someone with a learning disability "mentally handicap". When someone is deaf, they hear NOTHING. when someone is blind they see NOTHING. I am not deaf. because I CAN hear ..but I just have a 60%percentage loss in one ear and a 40% loss in the other. When someone says what is hearing impaired? I say it just means I can't hear as well as someone who has normal hearing. The definition of the impairment: Weakening, damage. So please explain why is it offensive. and PLEASE what is the deal with HOH?thank you!:wave:
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That term indicates that someone is impaired in some way and is unable to function. It is a very negative term.

I prefer to be called Deaf. Like someone else said, I would rather have my underwear stuck between my butt than be called hearing impaired.
 
shel90 said:
That term indicates that someone is impaired in some way and is unable to function. It is a very negative term.

I prefer to be called Deaf. Like someone else said, I would rather have my underwear stuck between my butt than be called hearing impaired.
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That's fine, Shel but I think those who previously didn't mind the term but do now only because of their exposure/immersion into the culture and that's only natural. I do the same thing within the culture; I say deaf but most everyone who know me know that, medically, I am HoH, and ask my for my assistance for everyday, mundane things when we are out in public just because it is quicker and convenient and we all think nothing of it. Btw, I NEVER ask if they need assistance; I'm not that stupid, lol. As for my underwear, well....nevermind. :P
 
Tousi said:
That's fine, Shel but I think those who previously didn't mind the term but do now only because of their exposure/immersion into the culture and that's only natural. I do the same thing within the culture; I say deaf but most everyone who know me know that, medically, I am HoH, and ask my for my assistance for everyday, mundane things when we are out in public just because it is quicker and convenient and we all think nothing of it. Btw, I NEVER ask if they need assistance; I'm not that stupid, lol. As for my underwear, well....nevermind. :P
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Yea, I grew up accepting being called that term but deep inside, I always ended up feeling bad when being called that but didnt know why. Now, I do.

I am really deaf anyway so I can get away with demanding to be called deaf or Deaf. :D
 
shel90 said:
Yea, I grew up accepting being called that term but deep inside, I always ended up feeling bad when being called that but didnt know why. Now, I do.

I am really deaf anyway so I can get away with demanding to be called deaf or Deaf. :D
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I'm not fully understanding, girl...
 
Tousi said:
I'm not fully understanding, girl...
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I mean, when people introduced me to others, they would say I am hearing impaired and even as a child, I didnt feel good about it each time. I didnt know why I felt that way until later...it was the term making me feel like I was really impaired.

Hope that was clear.
 
I have gotten into that debate before with some of my friends. They said the word hearing impaired I gave them a chance to explain why they used that word. They told me they were not implying that I myself was impaired. But my Hearing was. Hence my ears do not hear like a hearing persons ear.

So from a Deaf to Deaf person I can see the use of that word not being a good thing.

But as for hearing people. They do not know. They are using terms that they know of.

My old doctor uses it all the time. I told him to use the word deaf. He said no. Because I can hear some. Told me that if he did... it would implicated that I can not hear at all.

:dunno:
 
shel90 said:
I mean, when people introduced me to others, they would say I am hearing impaired and even as a child, I didnt feel good about it each time. I didnt know why I felt that way until later...it was the term making me feel like I was really impaired.

Hope that was clear.
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Yeah, except who were these "people"; I'm guessing hearing family members, etc...
 
Tousi said:
Yeah, except who were these "people"; I'm guessing hearing family members, etc...
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Oh, family, teachers, or friends...remember that I grew up in the hearing world. I think it was mostly my teachers who used that term to describe me the most.
 
shel90 said:
Oh, family, teachers, or friends...remember that I grew up in the hearing world. I think it was mostly my teachers who used that term to describe me the most.
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Ok, that's good; I just wanted to take it slow and expand where we all can like BB just did above for the sake of the recent influx of new members who are late-deafened, etc.
 
Tousi said:
Ok, that's good; I just wanted to take it slow and expand where we all can like BB just did above for the sake of the recent influx of new members who are late-deafened, etc.
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I havent noticed the influx of the new members..I havent been on much lately. Thanks for the heads up. :ty:
 
shel90 said:
I havent noticed the influx of the new members..I havent been on much lately. Thanks for the heads up. :ty:
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Oic, but you responded to one above plus Jillio's asking for a separate section for same....
 
I myself prefer to be called HOH or Deaf.

Just got to understand other peoples reasons behind calling us hearing impaired. A lot of people don't know better.
 
Babyblue said:
I myself prefer to be called HOH or Deaf.

Just got to understand other peoples reasons behind calling us hearing impaired. A lot of people don't know better.
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Well, for me, I understand those who know absolutely nothing about deafness; how can one not? It is those, even if I don't ever see them again, to whom I handle with care and it has helped me, them, and the "cause" indirectly, maybe. Look at the examples told to us by the entire spectrum of of the AD membership. By and large, it is their families who have affected them so much. So with strangers who know nothing........blah, blah repeating myself.
 
Tousi said:
Well, for me, I understand those who know absolutely nothing about deafness; how can one not? It is those, even if I don't ever see them again, to whom I handle with care and it has helped me, them, and the "cause" indirectly, maybe. Look at the examples told to us by the entire spectrum of of the AD membership. By and large, it is their families who have affected them so much. So with strangers who know nothing........blah, blah repeating myself.
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That's why I tell strangers my preference and why. Some are understanding and some arent. With some, it probably changed their views about deafness and that term and that would be cool.
 
Tousi said:
Just saying you responded to one such new member....at 103, I think, above.
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Ok..that person has had a hearing loss since a child but I didnt really take notice of when he/she became hoh. Just answering to his/her question to why HI is considered offensive.
 
Tousi said:
Well, for me, I understand those who know absolutely nothing about deafness; how can one not? It is those, even if I don't ever see them again, to whom I handle with care and it has helped me, them, and the "cause" indirectly, maybe. Look at the examples told to us by the entire spectrum of of the AD membership. By and large, it is their families who have affected them so much. So with strangers who know nothing........blah, blah repeating myself.
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True. My parents never used the word Hearing Impaired. They always just said...She is hard of hearing, but she wears two hearing aids.....


Funny! How people act towards the elders! People will say they are deaf and can not hear a thing! Or they say, Speak up they are HOH.

It is rare to see a person regard a latent deaf elderly person as hearing impaired. They usually say they can not hear a thing! :giggle:

Is it me, or has anyone else noticed that about how people approach the elderlies in that manner.
 
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