Queer Eye Star Asks If Commonly Used Phrase Is Offensive

[Kara Spengler]

I’m a very literal person, so “falling on deaf ears” doesn’t bother me. Although when I see it, it makes me pause. At times it feels like the two worlds are almost completely separate and there’s so much ignorance when they touch. Seeing any reference to deaf folks, therefore, grabs my attention. Then I realize it’s just that expression and I shrug and go on.

“Deaf and dumb”, however, is different. That burns, so it is is probably fitting that I wish it would GDIAF.

The irony is 'falling on deaf ears' technically means something might actually be heard. Deafness is measured in decibels, it is not binary, so most people who are Deaf have some residual hearing, even if not much.

 

[Arilynn]

The irony is 'falling on deaf ears' technically means something might actually be heard. Deafness is measured in decibels, it is not binary, so most people who are Deaf have some residual hearing, even if not much.

I agree. I initially had something about understanding if those with residual hearing would be offended, but I took it out. I think this expression has very little to do with d/Deaf as it is not aimed at d/D, unlike “deaf and dumb”. It is aimed at hearing folks, so I removed the part about residual hearing.