Deaf-Specific Glossary

This glossary is for anyone who falls under the umbrella of deafness.

That includes—but is not limited to—people who identify as deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deafblind. We don’t gatekeep. This resource is for anyone who finds these terms useful, regardless of communication preferences, devices used, access needs, when or how they became deaf, or how connected they feel to the Deaf community as a whole.

It includes terms and examples to help explain how communication barriers, sensory experiences, and the need for things like interpreters or visual access affect daily life and benefit eligibility. This glossary isn’t exhaustive—so if there’s a term you feel is outdated or missing, please let us know!

Types of Deafness and Communication

Conductive Deafness

Caused by blockage or damage in the outer or middle ear that prevents sound reaching the inner ear.

Someone who does not use spoken words, often communicating via BSL, writing, or technology.

Nonspeaking

Oral

Using spoken language and lipreading to communicate.

Remaining usable hearing that may be amplified with hearing aids or devices.

Residual Hearing

Sensorineural Deafness

Permanent deafness from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Communication Methods

A full language in its own right used by the British Deaf community with its own syntax, grammar and structure using signs and expression.

British Sign Language (BSL)

Fingerspelling

Spelling words by signing each letter using fingers—often for names or unfamiliar terms.

Understanding speech by interpreting lip movements, facial expressions, and context, but it takes hard work and is not always accurate.

Lipreading

Sign Supported English (SSE)

BSL signs used in English word order, ofted used alongside spoken English.

Hearing Assistive and Other Technology Devices

Implanted device that transmits sound through bone to the inner ear, bypassing damaged outer/middle ear.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA)

Cochlear Implant

Surgically implanted device that stimulates the auditory nerve directly, bypassing damaged parts of the ear.

Accessory that helps attach audio devices or improve comfort with hearing aids.

Earhook

FM System

A wireless system transmitting a speaker's voice directly to the hearing assistive device.

Wearable electronic devices that increases the volume of noises, but does not make the sound more clear.

Hearing Aids

Induction Loop (Hearing Loop)

Transmits sound directly to hearing aids via a magnetic field, often used in public buildings.

Transmits TV audio to hearing aids via a neckloop and telecoil.

Neckloop TV System

Radio Aid

Microphone system where sound is sent directly to the user’s hearing device, reducing background noise.

Plays calming or masking sounds to ease the symptoms of tinnitus.

Sound Therapy Machine

Speech Banana

Part of a hearing chart showing where speech sounds typically fall—important for audiology assessment.

A pad that vibrates in response to alarms or alerts, often used under pillows.

Vibrating Pad

Video Doorbell

Doorbells that provide visual alerts and video feed, offering increased access and safety.

Hearing Dogs

A registered assistance dog trained to alert severely or profoundly deaf people to specific sounds, as well as companionship and in cases of medical emergencies.

Hearing Dog

Sound Support Dog

A dog trained to alert any deaf person to important everyday sounds but doesn't have the same rights or recognition as an assistance dog.

Training that enables hearing dogs to recognise and respond to household or emergency sounds.

Sound Work

Personal Instructor (PI)

A trainer from the UK charity, hearing dogs for deaf people, who supports the deaf person and hearing dog during their training and matching.

Language Support Professionals

A trained professional who facilitates communication between a deaf BSL user and a non-signing person.

BSL/English Interpreter

Communication Support Worker (CSW)

Provides communication access in education and work settings using BSL, SSE, notes, or captions.

Uses a phonetic keyboard to provide verbatim live captions, in formal or education setting.

Palantypist

Lipspeaker

Repeats spoken words silently using clear lip movements for lipreaders.

Uses lipspeaking plus key BSL signs to support understanding.

Lipspeaker with Additional Sign

Communication Solutions

999BSL

Free video relay service that connects BSL users to 999 services using a live, remote BSL/English interpreter.

A service that allows registered deaf users to text 999 in emergencies.

Emergency SMS

Live Captions

Real-time text of spoken words displayed on screen, often used for video or events.

An app that displays real-time captions of nearby speech, as well as picking up and notifying certain sounds, such as the doorbell or baby crying.

Live Transcribe

OtterAI

Speech-to-text app that provides live transcription and stores transcripts, giving summary and action points.

Apps or services converting spoken language into text in real time for accessibility.

Speech-to-Text

Text Relay
(Relay UK)

Allows deaf users to type or read messages during phone calls via a relay assistant.

A written version of spoken content for reviewing after meetings, calls, or recordings.

Transcript

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

A BSL/English interpreter joining an in-person setting remotely via video to facilitate communication.

A digital service providing remote interpreters to relay phone conversations between BSL users and non-signers.

Example providers:

SignVideo
SignLive

Video Relay Services (VRS)

Social, Education, Health and Work

Communication Passport

A personalised document that outlines someone’s preferred communication methods, strengths, and access needs in healthcare settings.

Cognitive fatigue from sustained attention needed to understand speech or signing.

Concentration Fatigue

Dinner Table Syndrome

Exclusion from group conversations due to communication barriers or informal, rapid speech.

Funding for UK students in higher education to cover disability-related study support needs, including BSL interpreters or technology.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

A legal plan in England for young people with additional needs that outlines support in education, health, and social care settings.

Lack of early access to a full signed or spoken language, affecting communication development.

Language Deprivation

Listening Fatigue

Mental exhaustion from prolonged effort and strain to hear or lipread.

A flexible support plan outlining reasonable adjustments for a learner’s access needs in college, university, or training.

Personal Learning Support Plan (PLSP)