hearingimpaired

Hearing impairment is a general term describing partial or total inability to hear. It covers a wide range of experiences from mild difficulties in hearing to profound deafness and includes people who are hard of hearing as well as those who identify with Deaf culture. The term has historical use in medicine and public health, but its acceptability varies by context and individual preference.

Classification commonly distinguishes degree (mild, moderate, severe, profound), onset (congenital or acquired), and type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed). Audiometric testing measures hearing thresholds to determine severity and helps guide management. Some people experience fluctuating hearing or unilateral loss affecting one ear.

Causes are diverse and include aging (presbycusis), prolonged exposure to loud noise, genetic factors, infections, ototoxic medications, head trauma, and certain illnesses. Risk factors include workplace noise, lack of access to screening, and certain medical conditions. Hearing impairment may be present from birth or develop later in life.

Impacts can affect communication, education, employment, social interaction, and mental health. Access barriers may include insufficient captioning, limited interpreters, and environments that do not accommodate for hearing differences. Early intervention and ongoing support can improve language development, social participation, and quality of life.

Management and accommodations vary by individual and may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, speech-reading strategies, sign languages, interpreters, and captioning. Inclusive practices in education, workplaces, and public services, along with recognizing diverse identities within the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, are central to reducing barriers and promoting participation.

Terminology choices differ; some prefer “hard of hearing” or “Deaf/Hard of Hearing” depending on identity and context, while “hearing impairment” is increasingly viewed as outdated or stigmatizing in some communities.