Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing, often considered Deaf and part of the community of people who use American Sign Language as a primary means of communication

a broad term that refers to all persons with hearing loss. Additional information

Describes anyone who has a hearing loss significant enough to require Special Education, training, and/or adaptations; includes both deaf and hard-of-hearing conditions.

Generic term used to describe all persons with hearing loss, includes two million deaf people and 22 million hard of hearing people in the United States.

A loss of hearing in one or both ears. This term covers the entire range of auditory impairment encompassing not only profoundly deaf persons but also those with a very mild loss; an individual who may be deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or deafened. Not to be used in reference to "Deaf". Use of the term hearing impaired is generally discouraged.

This term includes both individuals who are deaf and who are hard-of-hearing. The difference between deafness and hard-of-hearing is defined by amount of hearing loss.

Applies to those who are acoustically disabled / auditorially deficient for whom the primary receptive channel of communication is, even with deficits, hearing. HEARING LOSS: The following hearing levels are typically characterized as follows: See the Amplification page.· Normal Hearing 0 dB to 15 dB· Mild Loss 16 dB to 35 dB · Moderate 36 dB to 50 dB · Moderate/Severe 51 dB to 70 dB · Severe Loss 71 dB to 90 dB · Profound 91 dB or more

description of students who are deaf and hard-of- hearing

Clinical or medical term used to describe a person whose hearing is less than the normal range. It is not the term generally preferred by individuals who have a hearing loss. (See deaf, hard of hearing,)

Generic term preferred by some individuals to refer to any degree of hearing loss from mild to profound. It includes both hard of hearing and deaf. [Click Here To Return To List