Hearing Impairment

A partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears, ranging from mild to profound. Hearing impairment can be congenital or acquired, and may worsen with age (presbycusis). In digital accessibility, hearing impairment necessitates alternatives to audio content such as captions, transcripts, and visual notifications. The term "hard of hearing" is generally preferred by many in the community over "hearing impaired," as the latter is sometimes considered to focus on deficit rather than identity.