The deaf culture movement prefers terms like "deaf" and "hard of hearing" over "hearing impaired" because the latter insinuates handicap or deficiency. A core principle is that deafness is a unique human experience, not a disability. Deaf culture influences art, language, history and values, and includes those who can hear, like interpreters and family. The UN recognizes deaf culture and sign language under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

1. Hearing Impairment and the Deaf Movement
By and large, the deaf culture
rejects terms related to hearing
impairment i.e. "hearing impaired,"
although it can be argued that the
phrase adequately describes the
condition. Terms such as deaf and
"hard of hearing" are preferred
since these words do not insinuate
that people unable to hear are
handicapped or "less than" in some manner.
This critical difference in nomenclature is but one of the
significant outcomes of the social movement known as deaf
culture. One of the movements core principles is that deafness is
a unique human experience rather than a form of disability. This
notion changes the perception of how deaf people view
themselves and how others perceive them.
Deaf culture also influences art, literary traditions, history and
many shared value systems. By definition, the culture includes
individuals who are not hard of hearing, such as sign language
interpreters, family members, educators and even healthcare
professionals in the auditory field. It is also recognized in article
30 of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (even though they prefer not to be thought of as
disabled) with the following passage:
"Persons with disabilities shall be entitled on an equal basis with
others, to recognition and support of their specific cultural and
linguistic identity, including sign languages and deaf culture."

2. There are two distinct types of hearing impairment, or deafness:
conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. The
former is a result of physical damage or improper operation of the
pathways that carry sound from the outer ear to the eardrum and
through the middle ear. This is all sensitive human equipment
and there are plenty of places for things to go wrong.
Sensorineural hearing loss tends to be related to the inner ear,
the cochlea in particular, which is responsible for the conversion
of conduction, or physical vibrations, into neural signals, which
are electrical in nature. Some deaf people have mixed hearing
loss, a combination of conductive and sensorineural.
Deaf culture doesn't discriminate on the type of hearing loss or its
severity, which ranges from mild (26 dB of hearing loss) to
profound (91 dB of hearing loss). Rather, deaf people are
incredibly inclusive and value the power, camaraderie and
support of the group. The ability to sign is a unifying force for the
culture and is celebrated in a number of ways. American Sign
Language performers such as Clayton Valli, Benjamin Bahan, Ella
Mae Lentz and C.J. Jones continue to grow in popularity serving
as both a form of entertainment and sign language refinement for
those with hearing impairment.
REFERENCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_impairment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_culture

3. For More Information, Call Hearing Aids Clermont FL
At: 352-729-3377
Or
Visit Us At:
http://hearing-aids-clermont-fl.com