Is it proper to use the term "overcame deafness?"

I'd be more worried about "achieved success."

 

"Achieved success" was never in the story. I used that in the opening comment as shorthand for the woman's top accomplishment.

 

Was she, by any chance, given the First Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence?

 

You did it right. This line would have been a disaster. Those who are deaf DO NOT consider it a handicap. The "despite" might have offended.
Deaf is the correct word for a hearing impaired person; however they are proud of being deaf. It is not a handicap.

 

What about overcoming the deaf?

 

Really? They don't consider it a handicap? Even so, it is. I'm all for being sensitive and PC, but (in the parlance of the athletes I cover) it is what it is. You are deaf. It is a handicap.

I mean, an amputee can be proud of being an amputee. It doesn't make him less handicapped.

 

Would having a cochlear implant be considered overcoming deafness?

You can hear, but you're still deaf.

 

I've heard that as some forms of deafness can be cured, many in the deaf community consider those who get cured to be sellouts. But that may be sensationalized.

Then there was that whole big row a few years ago about the president of a deaf university not being deaf from birth, or something.

 

turd

 

Yes I'm serious. Deaf individuals don't consider themselves handicapped in the least. They don't like "hearing impaired" or any of that. They are deaf.
Read a little about it. It doesn't take long on any ASL page.
Just because you can't hear doesn't mean you are handicapped. There is sign language which is an awesome language. If I was better at it, I'd love a career as an interpreter.
You can't claim it's a handicap just because you think it is one. I don't think PC has much to do with this one.

 

Yes, it does. Sorry.

 

What would a person with a 50-60% hearing loss be called?