Impairment

Impairment broadly denotes a diminishment of function, capacity, or value. It can refer to health-related loss of body function, or to economic devaluation of an asset. The term is used across medical, social, and financial contexts.

In health, impairment refers to a problem in body function or structure, such as impaired vision or hearing. It is distinct from disability, which concerns activity limitations and participation restrictions; impairment is a subset within the broader concept of functioning.

Types include sensory impairment (vision, hearing), motor or cognitive impairment, and impairments that are temporary or permanent, congenital or acquired. Severity ranges widely and may be measured with standardized tools.

In accounting and finance, impairment means a reduction in recoverable value of an asset below its carrying amount. If impairment is identified, an asset is written down to its recoverable amount, with potential impact on earnings. Testing is often required when indicators of impairment exist, or annually for certain assets.

Internationally, the World Health Organization's ICF framework views impairment as problems in body function or structure that can interact with environmental and personal factors to influence activity and participation. The concept informs disability policy, accessibility, and social inclusion.