Hearing Levels

Many people perceive being Deaf or Hard of Hearing as a disability or a medical condition. As a parent of a Deaf/HH child, you will learn which terms are appropriate to use. Below are many terms you may encounter whether they be at an audiology appointment or with a neighbor. Many people who have varying hearing levels view themselves as members of a distinct cultural community with its own language, values, and social norms. There are no specific hearing levels or personal characteristics that determine how a person identifies themselves. For example, a person with profound hearing level and has the ability to engage in spoken conversation may identify themselves as hard of hearing, while another person with moderate hearing level identify as Deaf. How an individual chooses to identify is based on a variety of factors that include hearing level, communication preference, cultural orientation, and use of technology.