"deaf"or "hearing impaired"

[smartiejake]

A colleague of mine was on a TA course the other day and was told off for using the term "deaf" to describe one of our pupils.
Not PC apparently. Not allowed to say blind either, that has to be sight impaired.

Funny thing is ALL of my deaf pupils refer to themselves as deaf and all the deaf adults I know also do not like the term hearing impaired.

Who are these do gooders who think they have the right to use a term that the people who they are referring to do not like?

Or am I mistaken in thinking this?

WHat do you lot with hearing difficulties or dcs with hearing difficulties prefer?

My daughter has moderate hearing loss in both ears and wears hearing aids. I always say she is Hearing Impaired rather than deaf cos she is not deaf. People think of deaf as not being able to hear anything at all.

Any news cristina?

I'm profoundly deaf and am happy to be referred to as 'deaf'. After all, I can't hear, can I? 'Hearing impaired' seems to be a derogatory term to me as it implies I'm an impaired person which I'm not.

No news yet. Her last assessment is for speech & language next Friday, then we should hear when her CI operation will be. She turned 1 on Thursday.

The profoundly deaf pupil I told you about (the one who has both a sister and a father with CIs) is having his implant operation on Thursday. He is so excited about it. (SO are we!) Hoping that his parents will let me witness the switch on in a few weeks time.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Cristina!

Thanks, smartiejake. DS's switch on was less than spectacular, but his hearing nowadays is fantastic. Please, someone, tell him he's inherited my singing voice Good luck to 'your' little boy too. (As you can see I've now got a shortened username.)

Hi cthea- not sure if this is a thread that you watch but just wondered if your dd has had her op yet? I remembered you said it was the end of November. Hope it all went well.

My lad (pupil) is doing very well. He was only switched on two wekks ago.

Had a tear in my eye last week supporting him in assembly (signing). The bell went for break and it's not that loud in the hall. His face lit up and he signed "I heard the bell" He had never responded to the school bell before even when he was standing right underneath. He only has nine channels on at the moment but will be up to the full 22 by Christmas.

my son is deaf - we've been enjoying www.signedstories.com i'm over the moon all my kids can enjoy childrens stories together finally. (Voices and BSL are on there!)