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