I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to
someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an
extract from Wikipedia:
The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be
used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the
hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer
the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired"
as an insult.
I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having
a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment".
I would believe the correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
I use the term hearing impaired for myself all the time and I dont find it offensive. I usually say I am a person with a hearing impairment not a hearing impaired person because the first one recognises the person before the impairment the second one doesn't. Other than that I dont see any problem with it. There are other words I dont use and I dont like to see in use.
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Suzieq23" <scar...@voip.com.au>
To: "SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)" <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 2:04 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Hi All,
> I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to
> someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an
> extract from Wikipedia:
> The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be
> used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the
> hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer
> the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired"
> as an insult.
> I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having
> a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment".
> I would believe the correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
> appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.81/2350 - Release Date: 09/06/09 17:51:00
Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as
having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of something
that's going to be difficult.
However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, but I'm
not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are far more
offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people who don't
understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just
curious.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Suzieq23
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
Hi All,
I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to someone
who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an extract from
Wikipedia:
The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be used
as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the hard of
hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer the term
"hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" as an insult.
I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having a
"seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the correct
polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought
christian came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only
sounds better but it also speaks for itself. More people know what
this means whereas when i have told someone i have an impairment i get
this confused distant look on their face. They obviously dont
recognise what it entails and how to respond.
On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as
> having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of something
> that's going to be difficult.
> However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, but I'm
> not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are far more
> offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people who don't
> understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just
> curious.
> Thanks though for this information.
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Suzieq23
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Hi All,
> I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to someone
> who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an extract from
> Wikipedia:
> The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be used
> as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the hard of
> hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer the term
> "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" as an insult.
> I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having a
> "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the correct
> polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
> appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Suzieq23
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 4:56 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought christian
came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only sounds better
but it also speaks for itself. More people know what this means whereas when
i have told someone i have an impairment i get this confused distant look on
their face. They obviously dont recognise what it entails and how to
respond.
On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Hi All,
> Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as > having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of > something that's going to be difficult.
> However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, > but I'm not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are > far more offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people > who don't understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just > curious.
> Thanks though for this information.
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] > On
> Behalf Of Suzieq23
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Hi All,
> I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to > someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an > extract from
> Wikipedia:
> The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be > used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the > hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer > the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" > as an insult.
> I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having > a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the > correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most > appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
I am wondering also who does come up with the correct term and I wonder if its the government? I mean I am in the middle of completing certificate 3 in disability studies and things like the correct terminology were brought up at the beginning of the course (cause we had to use the correct terms in our assignments). It wasn't specifically related to being deaf though. The thing I found interesting about who makes up the correct terminology is that it changes. I mean people with a disability used to be known as handicapped people. Theres a whole pile of terms for people who have an intellectual disability. But the thing is that over time the terms change so you just get used to one and they come up with a different one.
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au>
To: <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 4:08 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Hi All,
Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as
having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of something
that's going to be difficult.
However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, but I'm
not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are far more
offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people who don't
understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just
curious.
Thanks though for this information.
Scrunch.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Suzieq23
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
Hi All,
I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to someone
who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an extract from
Wikipedia:
The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be used
as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the hard of
hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer the term
"hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" as an insult.
I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having a
"seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the correct
polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.81/2350 - Release Date: 09/06/09 17:51:00
I also agree with you scrunch, the worst thing about not being able to hear well is that a lot of people dont believe you no matter what you do or say (at least for me) they just dont believe me! They think that because you get the gist of the conversation you are not deaf I mean half the time I lip read and noone knows!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au>
To: <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 4:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Ok, what about straight and to the point, "I can't hear well".
Or such and such doesn't hear well.
Do you think that could work?
Scrunch.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Suzieq23
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 4:56 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought christian
came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only sounds better
but it also speaks for itself. More people know what this means whereas when
i have told someone i have an impairment i get this confused distant look on
their face. They obviously dont recognise what it entails and how to
respond.
On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Hi All,
> Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as
> having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of
> something that's going to be difficult.
> However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others,
> but I'm not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are
> far more offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people
> who don't understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just
> curious.
> Thanks though for this information.
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com]
> On
> Behalf Of Suzieq23
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Hi All,
> I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to
> someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an
> extract from
> Wikipedia:
> The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be
> used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the
> hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer
> the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired"
> as an insult.
> I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having
> a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the
> correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
> appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.81/2350 - Release Date: 09/06/09 17:51:00
I'm exactly the same, I've never taken a lip reading course but yes I do
really rely on looking at the person's face when they talk to me.
Unfortunately, when people catch on to that (the less mature of us out
there) like to cover their mouth when they talk to you just to make it
difficult.
Talking to a deaf/hoh person while you're walking in front of them 2 metres
away, that don't help either!! hehe
Also, having food in the mouth while talking doesn't help!!
They are the little things that mean so much to us, but other people don't
give it much thought.
You grow really tired of trying to keep up in the "able" world. Sigh.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 5:34 PM
To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
I also agree with you scrunch, the worst thing about not being able to hear well is that a lot of people dont believe you no matter what you do or say (at least for me) they just dont believe me! They think that because you get
the gist of the conversation you are not deaf I mean half the time I lip read and noone knows!
Erin
----- Original Message ----- From: "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au>
To: <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 4:52 PM
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Ok, what about straight and to the point, "I can't hear well".
Or such and such doesn't hear well.
Do you think that could work?
Scrunch.
-----Original Message-----
From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Suzieq23
Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 4:56 PM
To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought christian
came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only sounds better
but it also speaks for itself. More people know what this means whereas when
i have told someone i have an impairment i get this confused distant look on
their face. They obviously dont recognise what it entails and how to
respond.
On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Hi All,
> Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as > having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of > something that's going to be difficult.
> However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, > but I'm not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are > far more offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people > who don't understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just > curious.
> Thanks though for this information.
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com]
> On
> Behalf Of Suzieq23
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Hi All,
> I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to > someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an > extract from
> Wikipedia:
> The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be > used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the > hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer > the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" > as an insult.
> I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having > a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the > correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most > appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.81/2350 - Release Date: 09/06/09 17:51:00
I was surprised to hear that "hearing impairment" or "hearing impaired" is considered offensive to some. I regard myself as HI and I think that many in a similar situation to me (moderate to severe hearing loss) would think likewise.
This whole question of terminology in this field seems to be confused. In the Deaf Australia website in http://www.deafau.org.au/info/terminology.php there is a discussion of the definitions for Deaf, deaf, hearing impaired and hard of hearing. It has to be said that these definitions are somewhat vague and overlap considerably.
Deaf refers to the community of those who communicate via Auslan and they usually have profound hearing loss. Because they are a close-knit community and call themselves Deaf (with a capital D) it may be that they are the ones who are offended if you call them hearing impaired.
> From: ami...@iinet.net.au
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2009 17:46:58 +1000
> Erin,
> I'm exactly the same, I've never taken a lip reading course but yes I do
> really rely on looking at the person's face when they talk to me.
> Unfortunately, when people catch on to that (the less mature of us out
> there) like to cover their mouth when they talk to you just to make it
> difficult.
> Talking to a deaf/hoh person while you're walking in front of them 2 metres
> away, that don't help either!! hehe
> Also, having food in the mouth while talking doesn't help!!
> They are the little things that mean so much to us, but other people don't
> give it much thought.
> You grow really tired of trying to keep up in the "able" world. Sigh.
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 5:34 PM
> To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> I also agree with you scrunch, the worst thing about not being able to hear > well is that a lot of people dont believe you no matter what you do or say > (at least for me) they just dont believe me! They think that because you get
> the gist of the conversation you are not deaf I mean half the time I lip > read and noone knows!
> Erin
> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au>
> To: <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 4:52 PM
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Ok, what about straight and to the point, "I can't hear well".
> Or such and such doesn't hear well.
> Do you think that could work?
> Scrunch.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Suzieq23
> Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 4:56 PM
> To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought christian
> came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only sounds better
> but it also speaks for itself. More people know what this means whereas when
> i have told someone i have an impairment i get this confused distant look on
> their face. They obviously dont recognise what it entails and how to
> respond.
> On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> > Hi All,
> > Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as > > having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> > I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of > > something that's going to be difficult.
> > However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others, > > but I'm not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are > > far more offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people > > who don't understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> > I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> > Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just > > curious.
> > Behalf Of Suzieq23
> > Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> > To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > Hi All,
> > I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to > > someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an > > extract from
> > Wikipedia:
> > The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be > > used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the > > hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer > > the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired" > > as an insult.
> > I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having > > a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the > > correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> > We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most > > appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
I think the official term for being blind is vision impaired. Not
visually impaired. I got that one from Graeme Innes, who is the
Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights
Commission (he is also vision impaired).
I call myself hearing impaired and deaf, because I dont really think I
am hard of hearing - I am technically deaf (but not Deaf, because I
dont use Auslan), but if I tell people I am deaf by email they think I
need an Auslan interpreter. Hearing impaired, to me, says I am quite
deaf, whereas hard of hearing sounds a bit like the excuse of an older
person when they miss something, i.e. "I am a bit hard of hearing
love! Speak up!" LOL!
Deafness Forum of Australia recently did a poll on this, and the
majority of respondents said they preferred the term "Hearing
impaired" over "Hard of hearing" - however, apparently the world
federation of the deaf prefers to use the term "Hard of hearing" for
anyone who is not completely deaf.
I dont know - I think use whatever term you like, but dont be offended
because its not meant to be offensive. However, I guess I find myself
shuddering at the term 'deafie'... But I guess how else are you going
to describe it? "Audiotorially challenged?" hahaha! *just kidding!*
> I was surprised to hear that "hearing impairment" or "hearing impaired" is considered offensive to some. I regard myself as HI and I think that many in a similar situation to me (moderate to severe hearing loss) would think likewise.
> This whole question of terminology in this field seems to be confused. In the Deaf Australia website inhttp://www.deafau.org.au/info/terminology.phpthere is a discussion of the definitions for Deaf, deaf, hearing impaired and hard of hearing. It has to be said that these definitions are somewhat vague and overlap considerably.
> Deaf refers to the community of those who communicate via Auslan and they usually have profound hearing loss. Because they are a close-knit community and call themselves Deaf (with a capital D) it may be that they are the ones who are offended if you call them hearing impaired.
> Chris Danckwerts
> > From: ami...@iinet.net.au
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2009 17:46:58 +1000
> > Erin,
> > I'm exactly the same, I've never taken a lip reading course but yes I do
> > really rely on looking at the person's face when they talk to me.
> > Unfortunately, when people catch on to that (the less mature of us out
> > there) like to cover their mouth when they talk to you just to make it
> > difficult.
> > Talking to a deaf/hoh person while you're walking in front of them 2 metres
> > away, that don't help either!! hehe
> > Also, having food in the mouth while talking doesn't help!!
> > They are the little things that mean so much to us, but other people don't
> > give it much thought.
> > You grow really tired of trying to keep up in the "able" world. Sigh.
> > Scrunch.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
> > Behalf Of Erin Mckenzie-Christensen
> > Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 5:34 PM
> > To: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > I also agree with you scrunch, the worst thing about not being able to hear
> > well is that a lot of people dont believe you no matter what you do or say
> > (at least for me) they just dont believe me! They think that because you get
> > the gist of the conversation you are not deaf I mean half the time I lip
> > read and noone knows!
> > Erin
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au>
> > To: <shhhgroups@googlegroups.com>
> > Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 4:52 PM
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > Ok, what about straight and to the point, "I can't hear well".
> > Or such and such doesn't hear well.
> > Do you think that could work?
> > Scrunch.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: shhhgroups@googlegroups.com [mailto:shhhgroups@googlegroups.com] On
> > Behalf Of Suzieq23
> > Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 4:56 PM
> > To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > Sure there are worse things to be called than impaired. I thought christian
> > came up with a better one - "partially deaf". This not only sounds better
> > but it also speaks for itself. More people know what this means whereas when
> > i have told someone i have an impairment i get this confused distant look on
> > their face. They obviously dont recognise what it entails and how to
> > respond.
> > On Sep 7, 4:38 pm, "Amicus" <ami...@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> > > Hi All,
> > > Hmm, had to think about this one. I have always referred to myself as
> > > having a "hearing impairment" and never found it offensive.
> > > I don't really like the word "hard" because it makes me think of
> > > something that's going to be difficult.
> > > However, I will keep this in mind if I'm making reference to others,
> > > but I'm not so politically correct when it comes to this, there are
> > > far more offensive things I've had to deal with in dealing with people
> > > who don't understand what it's like to be deaf/hoh.
> > > I've had people ridicule and torment me with rude behaviour.
> > > Who comes up with what what the correct term should be anyway? Just
> > > curious.
> > > Behalf Of Suzieq23
> > > Sent: Monday, 7 September 2009 2:35 PM
> > > To: SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People)
> > > Subject: {SHHH Support Group} Hearing Impairment is an insult
> > > Hi All,
> > > I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to
> > > someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an
> > > extract from
> > > Wikipedia:
> > > The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be
> > > used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the
> > > hard of hearing. People who consider themselves culturally Deaf prefer
> > > the term "hard of hearing" or "deaf", and perceive "hearing impaired"
> > > as an insult.
> > > I have never heard someone refer to a partially blind person as having
> > > a "seeing impairment" or "sight impairment". I would believe the
> > > correct polite term to use is "hard of seeing".
> > > We should start spreading the word that "hard of hearing" is the most
> > > appropriate term to use. "Impairment" is an ugly word.
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