hearing-impaired

adjective

hear·​ing-im·​paired ˈhir-iŋ-im-ˈperd How to pronounce hearing-impaired (audio)
now often offensive : hard of hearing, deaf

Note: The World Federation of the Deaf has since 1991 recommended the terms hard of hearing and deaf for people with hearing loss. Many deaf and hard of hearing people consider the term hearing-impaired offensive.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hearing-impaired was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near hearing-impaired

hearing examiner

hearing-impaired

hearken

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hearing-impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearing-impaired. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.

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