What term describes a person who uses residual hearing and communicates with speech primarily?

The term that describes a person who uses residual hearing and communicates with speech primarily is "hard-of-hearing." Individuals who are hard-of-hearing typically possess some degree of hearing loss but may retain enough hearing to engage in verbal communication using spoken language. This communication can involve the use of hearing aids or other assistive listening devices to maximize their ability to perceive sound.

In contrast, people classified as deaf often have a profound hearing loss and may rely predominantly on sign language or other non-verbal means of communication rather than speech. The term "deaf culture" refers to the shared experiences, values, and social practices of the deaf community, emphasizing their cultural identity rather than focusing solely on communication abilities. "Cued speech" is a method that uses hand shapes and placements combined with spoken language to aid in phonetic distinctions for those who may have difficulty with auditory processing, which is not a descriptor for the person described in the question.

Thus, the term "hard-of-hearing" accurately encapsulates the characteristics of individuals who utilize their residual hearing and favor speech as their primary form of communication.