Deafness means a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. (34 CFR Sec. 300.8(c)(3)) Hearing impairment means an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness in this section. (34 CFR Sec. 300.8(c)(5)) In New Mexico, the terms deafness and hearing impairment are combined into one eligibility category called Hearing Impairment, including Deafness. (Subsection B (2) of 6.31.2.7 NMAC).
Hearing Impairment/Deafness
