Deaf is defined as

• A. A temporary impairment in processing visual information.
• B. A complete lack of hearing that is permanent.
• C. An impairment in processing linguistic information.
• D. A speech difficulty that fluctuates.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that deafness is understood in terms of how it affects language. Deafness describes a condition where significant hearing loss interferes with a person’s ability to access and process linguistic information. It’s not just about whether sound can be heard at all; it’s about the impact on understanding and using language. That’s why the best choice says there is an impairment in processing linguistic information—the core challenge is language access and processing, which influences communication and learning.

The other options don’t fit because they focus on aspects that aren’t the defining feature of deafness in this context. One describes a temporary problem with processing visual information, which isn’t about language processing. Another asserts a permanent, complete lack of hearing, which is a too-absolute description and doesn’t capture the broader language-processing focus. The last suggests fluctuating speech difficulties, which aren’t the defining characteristic of deafness.