hearing-impaired
Americanadjective
Usage
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 .
Etymology
Origin of hearing-impaired
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a properly installed system, people are then directed by announcement to the nearest fire exits, with flashing lights for people who are hearing-impaired or audible warnings for those sleeping.
From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2025
My hearing-impaired “shake-awake” alarm wakes me up by vibrating on the top of my cell’s metal lockers.
From Slate ● Dec. 14, 2023
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 ● Oct. 2, 2023
“The last thing I would want is to leak private moments,” said Ms. Kalvoy, who is hearing-impaired.
From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2023
For example, a music producer and new father is devastated upon learning that his baby is hearing-impaired in “Ava’s Story.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
