Definition

Noun: A partial or complete loss of the ability to perceive sound; a condition that reduces the functionality of the auditory system.

Usage

The term "hearing impairment" is a formal and general medical term used to describe a range of hearing loss, from mild to profound. It is often used in educational, legal, and healthcare contexts. - The school provides special resources for students with a hearing impairment. - Early diagnosis of a hearing impairment in infants is crucial for language development.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Administrative Context: Used in official documents, laws (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act), and to determine eligibility for services or accommodations.
  • The law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with a documented hearing impairment.

Variants and Related Words

• Hearing loss: A more common synonym, often used interchangeably in everyday language.
• Deafness: Typically refers to a profound hearing impairment where very little or no sound is heard.
• Hard of hearing: A term often preferred to describe a mild to moderate hearing impairment, especially one that may be aided with devices.

Synonyms

• Hearing loss
• Auditory impairment
• Deafness (for profound impairment)

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Hearing-impaired: An adjective used to describe a person with a hearing impairment. (Note: Some individuals and communities prefer identity-first language like "Deaf person" or descriptive phrases like "person who is hard of hearing.")
  • The hearing-impaired audience member used a sign language interpreter.

Noun

1. impairment of the sense of hearing