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.

Examples of hearing-impaired in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ceja’s meteoric rise is even more impressive because she was born hearing-impaired. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Hearing-impaired.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearing-impaired. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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