Final answer:
The root of the discussion about 'deaf' being medical or cultural revolves around the contrast between viewing deafness as a hearing impairment and embracing it as part of a rich cultural identity with its own language and customs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discussion about how deaf is 'deaf' involves exploring the medical versus cultural perspectives of deafness. From a medical standpoint, deafness is considered a hearing loss which can be partial or complete, known as conductive hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss.
Conversely, within the context of deaf culture, being deaf has its own identity, language (such as ASL), and value system, emphasizing the continuation of traditions like using sign language instead of cochlear implants or lip reading. Parents' decisions on raising a deaf child can be influenced significantly by whether they themselves are deaf, as this determines their familiarity and alignment with deaf culture.