Deaf:

UK Deaf Sport use the term ‘deaf’ to represent all people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a hearing loss, whether this is acquired or from birth.

The term ‘deaf’ covers a range of definitions of deafness, including those who are profoundly deaf, have severe, moderate or mild hearing loss or are hard of hearing whether acquired or from birth. This includes the use of the terms Deaf and deaf whereby the use of a capital D in Deaf may denote those who identify as having a cultural and shared experience of being Deaf. International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) who govern the Deaflympics, set their own criteria for eligibility which is a hearing loss of at least 55dB in the better ear (3 tone frequency average of 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hertz, ANSI 1969 standard).Deaflympics athletes will meet this standard. 

Deaf Community:

UK Deaf Sport use the term ‘deaf community’ to represent all people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a hearing loss or anyone who has a lived experience of deafness such as family members, friends, allies, colleagues and other professionals.