(a)      Whenever in this article or in any other laws of this State reference shall be made to the term, "deaf, dumb and blind", the same shall hereafter be taken to mean "deaf, mute or blind".

      (b)      "Deaf" means permanent hearing loss:

            (1)      That is severe enough to necessitate the use of amplification devices to hear oral communication; or

            (2)      That is so severe that amplification devices are ineffective.