How are the terms deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and hearing impaired typically used? And what is appropriate or inappropriate?

• There is often confusion and controversy over the terms, "hearing impaired," “hearing disability”, "hard of hearing," "deaf," and "deafened," both in definition and appropriateness of use.
   

• The term "hearing impaired" is a term often used to describe people with any degree of hearing loss.  Many individuals who are D/HOH prefer the terms "Deaf" and "Hard of Hearing".

• More than any of the groups who are commonly labeled as “disabled or impaired”, those who are deaf are much less inclined to think of their condition as a disability.
   

• "Deafened" usually refers to a person who loses a significant amount of hearing as an adult and, therefore, faces different challenges than those of a person who became deaf at birth or as a child.
   

• For more information on appropriate terminology, consult the resource at the National Association of the Deaf titled What is Wrong with the Use of these Terms: "Deaf-mute", "Deaf and dumb", or "Hearing-impaired"?