Participation Criteria
To be eligible for participation in competitions for the deaf and hard of hearing, an athlete must have a hearing loss of 55 decibels (dB) or greater in the better ear (three frequency pure tone average at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hertz [Hz]). These results are reported with respect to the International Standards Organization 1964 standard reference values. According to Davis and Silverman (1978), a 55 to 70 dB loss in the better ear is categorized as a marked or moderate disability; a 70 to 90 dB loss in the better ear is considered a severe disability; and any loss over 90dB is an extreme handicap because amplification does not help in hearing the speech of others.
For purposes of competition, however, the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf
(ICSD, formerly CISS) does not classify athletes according to their degree of hearing loss. All people with a hearing loss of 55dB or greater in the better ear compete against one another.
USA Deaf Sports Federation is a National Association member of the ICSD and complies with the Deaflympics regulations prohibiting the use of hearing aids or cochlear implant aids during any sanctioned competitions.
Helpful Tip: To determine your eligibility by reading your own audiogram, here are the instructions.
Athlete and Coach Selection Criteria
The Federation exercises its coordinating authority with each National Sport Organization to develop and approve procedures for selecting athletes and coaches to represent the United States in international competitions. Contact information for all sports is listed in this directory.
The minimum athlete and coach standards that all criteria must include are found in this document. The year displayed in parentheses next to each sport listed below indicates criteria's expiration after the competition ends.
BADMINTON (None available - inactive sport)
Athlete
Coach
BASEBALL (None available - inactive sport)
Athlete
Coach
BASKETBALL
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
2007 World Championships: Athlete
2007 World Championships: Coach
2007 Pan American Deaf Games: Coach
2007 Pan American Deaf Games: Athlete
BOWLING
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
CYCLING
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
GOLF (None available)
Athlete
Coach
ICE HOCKEY
2007 Winter Deaflympics: Athlete
2007 Winter Deaflympics: Coach
MARTIAL ARTS (None available)
Athlete
Coach
ORIENTEERING (None available)
Athlete
Coach
SHOOTING
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
SKI & SNOWBOARD
2007 Winter Deaflympics: Athlete
2007 Winter Deaflympics: Coach
SOCCER
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
SWIMMING
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach REVISED
TABLE TENNIS (None available - inactive sport)
Athlete
Coach
TEAM HANDBALL
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
TENNIS
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
TRACK & FIELD ("ATHLETICS")
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
VOLLEYBALL - BEACH
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
Coaches are being considered for the 2009 Summer Deaflympics.
VOLLEYBALL
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach (see announcement)
WATER POLO
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
WRESTLING
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Athlete
2005 Summer Deaflympics: Coach
SUPPORT SERVICES
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Interpreters
2009 Summer Deaflympics: Medical Team