Packet Loss

The failure of data packets to reach their destination during network transmission, common in VoIP and mobile telephony. Packet loss causes audio dropouts, distortion, and reduced intelligibility. Research shows that 20% packet loss can render voice telephony essentially unusable for people with hearing loss, while hearing individuals may still maintain usable performance. Managed networks with quality-of-service guarantees can limit packet loss to around 3%, significantly improving accessibility.