The term “deaf” , for purposes of the Division of the Deaf and as used in this act, means those persons in whom the sense of hearing is nonfunctional for ordinary purposes of life and includes two distinct classes based on the time of the loss of hearing; a. the congenitally deaf, those who were born deaf and, b. the adventitiously deaf, those who were born with normal hearing but in whom the sense of hearing becomes nonfunctional through illness, accident, etc. In clinical terms deaf means a hearing loss above 25 db ISO in the 500-2,000 frequency Hz range unaided in the better ear, and so designated by a certified audiologist.

L.1941, c. 197, p. 587, s. 6. Amended by L.1977, c. 166, s. 7, eff. July 31, 1977.