Did You Say “Hearingsplaining”?
10 March 2022
A Professional Guide to Respectful Terminology: Best Practices for Referring to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Beyond proverbs, idioms, and metaphors, there are terms to avoid and, of course, respectful terminology that should be used when referring to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. To help you navigate this terminology effectively, here are some key definitions recommended by the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD), which are also endorsed by the Translation Bureau (see article). This article emphasizes the importance of using terms that individuals and communities choose to identify themselves.
Key Definitions
Deaf (with a capital “D”): This is the appropriate term for individuals who identify with the Deaf community and culture.
deaf (with a lowercase “d”): This term describes the audiological condition of significant hearing loss. Deaf people communicate in different ways, so “deaf” remains a broad term.
Hard of hearing: This general term refers to individuals with mild to significant hearing loss. Hard-of-hearing people often use their voice to communicate and may have residual hearing that can be enhanced with assistive devices.
Late-deafened person: Some individuals who lose their hearing later in life, often in adulthood, prefer this term. It highlights a unique experience—going from being hearing to being deaf.
Terms to avoid and respectful terminology alternatives for Deaf and hard of hearing people
| Terms to Avoid | Explanatory Notes | Recommended Terms |
| Deaf-mute
Deaf and dumb |
The term “mute” refers to a physiological inability to use one’s vocal cords, which is inaccurate for Deaf people. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are not voiceless; some choose to use their voice, while others don’t. |
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| Suffers from deafness Afflicted with deafness |
Expressions like “suffers from” or “afflicted with” reflect a medical perspective and imply that being Deaf means leading an unfulfilled life, which is not true. |
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| Person with deafness | The term “deafness” is often used from a medical perspective, viewing deaf people only through the lens of a physical condition. But being Deaf, from a sociocultural perspective, is much more than that—it encompasses language, culture, history, community, and more. |
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| Person with a hearing impairment Person with a hearing disability | Similarly, “impairment” and “disability” focus on deficiency and incapacity rather than identity and culture. |
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| A handicapped person | Used as a noun, “disabled person” can be reductive, as it defines someone solely by their disability. |
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| Hearing-impaired | See explanations above regarding “handicapped person” and “hearing impairment.” It is inappropriate to associate the term “impaired” with “hearing” when referring to Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. |
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| Person with special needs Differently abled person | Terms like “special needs” and “different abilities” are vague and sometimes used by non-disabled people to avoid acknowledging disability. However, words like “Deaf” or “disability” are not inherently negative and can be used appropriately. |
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| Person who does not understand | Be careful not to confuse “hearing” with “understanding.” Being Deaf simply means not hearing sounds—it has nothing to do with comprehension. |
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| Gestural language Sign language gestures Hands gesture |
Sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and Indigenous Sign Language (ISL), are full-fledged language with their own structure, syntax, and grammar, developed independently from spoken languages. They should not be described as mere ‘’gestures’’ or a ‘’gestural’’ form of communication. |
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