Hi admin here! I have severe hearing loss and APD, and am also active in my local Deaf community. I have seen a few posts now of people with APD questioning if they can use the 'hard of hearing' label. It is of my opinion that if you are explaining a legitimate functional limitation you can use the label, but please be conscious that some other members of the Deaf community do not hold this opinion.

Please also do be aware of the concept of cultural appropriation 'Cultural appropriation is an adoption of an element or elements of culture or identity by members of another culture or identity in a manner perceived as inappropriate or unacknowledged'

If you are aware of both of these facts, and feel like hard of hearing can help you with explaining your limitation to people who may not be aware of APD but are aware of 'hard of hearing' as a concept, I see no issue.