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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: HEARING IMPAIRED
Message-ID: <15930@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 27 Nov 90 21:48:58 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 LL> I notice that users of this echo refer to 'deaf' and not
 LL> hearing impaired. At what point is a hearing impaired person
 LL> condidered deaf?

Lee, most professionals apply the term "hearing impaired" to any
person with less than "normal" hearing.  "Hard of hearing" applies
to people who can discriminate speech with amplification, and
without visual clues thru speechreading or sign.  The term "deaf"
usually means someone who cannot discriminate speech, even with
amplification, unless assisted visually.  Both deaf and hard of
hearing persons are considered "hearing impaired".

Which brings us to Deaf persons (as distinguished from deaf persons).
Deaf people consider inability to hear (or hear well) as a "culturally
defining condition", not an impairment of any kind.  Some will take
grevious exception to being called "hearing impaired".

I find the most prudent course is NOT to get excited about labels.
Let people classify themself however they please, be it Deaf, deaf,
HoH, or HI.  We have many more significant issues to be concerned
about, and it serves no constructive purpose to worry over labels.

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

... Xpress Yourself!

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