hearing-impaired

[ heer-ing-im-paird ]

adjective

1. Usually Offensive. hard of hearing ( def ).

Usage Note

Hearing-impaired is perceived as an offensive term within the Deaf community because the word impaired implies damage, and it focuses on what the person cannot do. When referring to people with hearing loss, the preferred term is hard of hearing .

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearing-impaired¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In a sense, it seeks to do for the hearing-impaired what braille does for the blind: It creates an alternative pathway to cognition.

From Salon

His three sons, all hearing-impaired, were terrified, he said.

From BBC

Similarly, the current season of "The Great British Baking Show" includes hearing-impaired contestant Tasha Stones while also introducing her interpreter to her fellow contestants.

From Salon

The center’s operators can also access other relay services to assist blind and deaf callers and can receive text messages to 911 — in English only — that “serves our hearing-impaired community the most,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Rachel, who began her journey to becoming a performance interpreter by signing for hearing-impaired family members, is a specialist in rap music.

From BBC