Correct spelling for the English word "hard hearing" is [hˈɑːd hˈi͡əɹɪŋ], [hˈɑːd hˈiəɹɪŋ], [h_ˈɑː_d h_ˈiə_ɹ_ɪ_ŋ] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Hard hearing is a term used to describe individuals who have a partial or complete loss of hearing ability, resulting in difficulty in perceiving sounds or understanding speech. It is commonly used as a synonym for the medical condition known as hearing impairment or hearing loss.
A person who is hard hearing may have varying degrees of hearing loss, ranging from mild to severe. This impairment may affect one or both ears, and can be caused by various factors such as exposure to loud noises, genetic factors, certain medical conditions, or the natural aging process.
People who are hard hearing often struggle to hear and understand conversations, especially in environments with background noise or when multiple people are speaking simultaneously. They may frequently ask others to speak louder or repeat themselves, and may rely on lip-reading or visual cues to understand what is being said.
The consequences of being hard hearing can be far-reaching, affecting the person's communication abilities, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or cochlear implants are some of the assistive technologies commonly used to improve sound perception for individuals who are hard hearing. Additionally, speech and hearing therapy may be recommended to help with language development, speech production, and auditory skills in order to enhance communication abilities.