Quote:
Originally Posted by salleh
Publix is supporting equal access and improved communication for the hearing loss community here in The Villages. Shopping this week at the Publix Supermarket in Colony Plaza, I tried the newly installed hearing loop at the pharmacy windows and at the customer service counter. As a hearing impaired Villager and cochlear implant recipient it is often difficult for me to hear in many retail locations. I found that the counter loop systems at Publix will make it much easier for me and others with hearing loss to communicate with store associates.
The three movie houses in The Villages recently installed similar systems at the ticket windows as well as closed captioning and assistive listening systems in each auditorium making the movies accessible to many hearing impaired who had given up going to the movies. Andrew Finlayson
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Please be advised that the term, “hearing impaired” is unacceptable. Here is the explanation:
The term "Hearing Impaired" is a technically accurate term much preferred by hearing people, largely because they view it as politically correct. In the mainstream society, to boldly state one's disability (e.g., deaf, blind, etc.) is somewhat rude and impolite. To their way of thinking, it is far better to soften the harsh reality by using the word "impaired" along with "visual", "hearing", and so on. “Hearing-impaired” is a well-meaning word that is much-resented by deaf and hard of hearing people. This term was popular in the 70s and 80s, however, now is used mostly by doctors, audiologists and other people who are mainly interested in our ears "not working."
While it's true that their hearing is not perfect, that doesn't make them impaired as people. Most would prefer to be called Deaf, Hard of Hearing or deaf when the need arises to refer to their hearing status, but not as a primary way to identify them as people (where their hearing status is not significant).
We are deaf, and not people with impairments (obstacles) in life!
Hope that you and your people respect by refusing to use the outdated and offensive term. Hearing loss is more acceptable for everyone who is not just deaf.
Deaf vs Hearing Impaired
Terminology
Community and Culture - Frequently Asked Questions | National Association of the Deaf
Agreement of terminology - IFHOH