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

[Mr. X]

Because our night copy desk figures to be of little help on this one, is it proper to write that someone "overcame deafness," to achieve success in her field?

 

[Mr. X]

I'm now leaning to, "despite being deaf since she was 18 months old." Is that better or worse?

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I can't hear you.

 

[Rough Mix]

"Overcame the challenge of being hearing impaired since.."

 

[RickStain]

Are the person's other senses enhanced to superhuman levels?

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I'm now leaning to, "despite being deaf since she was 18 months old." Is that better or worse?

Better.

 

[spnited]

I'm now leaning to, "despite being deaf since she was 18 months old." Is that better or worse?

That's fine.

 

[MidwestSportsGuy]

"Overcame the challenge of being hearing impaired since.."

Still seems wordy.

Overcame a hearing impairment ...

 

[Rough Mix]

Mr. X, was it neurosensory hearing loss? If so, there can be other factors such as vertigo, balance disorders and motion sickness to deal with. Not in all cases, but some.

 

[Mr. X]

I ended up rewriting the lede, taking out a phrase before explaining the award the person is receiving, which is the reason for the story.

The second and third paragraphs were about the award ceremony, which are required by the editors. In the fourth paragraph, I wrote that the woman lost all hearing in her right ear and 80 percent of the hearing in her left ear at the age of 18 months because of roseola infantum.

 

[spnited]

Seems like you did it right.

 

[deskslave]

I would advise being cautious about "despite" in this case. Lacking all the information, I don't know whether this is true, but it's possible that her deafness in fact pushed her toward whatever it is she's being honored for.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

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

 

[Mr. X]

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

 

[deskslave]

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

 

[Fredrick]

I'm now leaning to, "despite being deaf since she was 18 months old." Is that better or worse?

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.

 

[mustangj17]

What about overcoming the deaf?

 

[Some Guy]

I'm now leaning to, "despite being deaf since she was 18 months old." Is that better or worse?

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.

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.

 

[expendable]

Would having a cochlear implant be considered overcoming deafness?

You can hear, but you're still deaf.

 

[RickStain]

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.

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.