Which term is considered highly offensive and outdated for labeling people with any level of hearing loss?

• A. Deaf
• B. Communication Aids and Services
• C. Hearing Impaired
• D. Hard of Hearing

Answer: (C)

Language used to describe someone with hearing loss should respect their identity and avoid labeling that centers a deficit. The term “hearing impaired” is widely viewed as outdated and offensive because it defines a person by what they lack and uses a negative, medicalized descriptor. It frames the individual as impaired, which can carry stigma and dehumanize the person in everyday interactions, including law enforcement encounters.

Many people who identify with Deaf culture prefer the term “Deaf” (capital D) as a cultural-linguistic identity, and others may use “hard of hearing” to describe partial hearing loss in a practical way. The phrase “communication aids and services” refers to accommodations rather than a label for a person, so it isn’t used to identify someone.