Types & Effects of Deafness
Some of the 365 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) people in the world are deaf and mute. That means not only can they not hear, they also can't (or choose not to) speak. In English, the phrase was often "Deaf and Dumb". These days Deaf people that cannot speak do not like the phrase 'Deaf Mute'; they prefer to be called just 'Deaf'.
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[Edit]1 Why Are Some Deaf People Also "Mute"?
If a person is deaf from birth, they never hear sounds and so at the age most children are learning to talk by hearing words spoken around them, the deaf child cannot and thus never learns to speak, unless there is intensive and active learning of the skills of speech production, as well as a fair degree of chance. While a person that gradually loses their hearing over their lifetime can speak and communicate adequately with others with his or her verbal skills, a Deaf person can't do this and needs to use signs and written forms of communication.
[Edit]2 Historical Use of the Term "Deaf-Mute"
Since the Deaf person is often unaware of what is being said around them, they are open to all kinds of verbal abuse. If a person is deaf and mute, they cannot express themselves verbally, those people who like to pick on others almost always are attracted to a person who either isn't aware of what's being said about them or their outcast status prevents them from aggressively defending themselves. Deaf people who do not speak also can't call for help if they are the victim of an assault, another thing that attracts trouble. This is why throughout human history special laws have been enacted by many societies to protect these people who can't hear danger coming and also can't call for help.
The phrase "deaf-mute" is first found in ancient literature, the Code of Hammurabi, an ancient law code that was in use in the Near East in 1700 B.C. It was coined to designate treatment of citizens that were both deaf and unable to speak, or who had some speaking ability but not enough to function in regular society. While a deaf person with speech can demonstrate the content of their intellect to other people, a deaf person who does not speak can't do that, which creates far more awkward situations that could lead to mocking or social stigma. The Greeks around the 7th Century B.C. also had legal codes that recognized this distinct group of citizens that needed special protection. The Jews had laws about property inheritance and a person's level of responsibility that distinguished between those who were deaf and could speak, those who were deaf and could not speak, and those who could hear but not speak. The "deaf and mute" had the lowest level of responsibility, and also the lowest level of independence.
