The term "hard of hearing" refers to a condition characterized by partial or moderate hearing loss wherein individuals experience difficulty in perceiving sounds and comprehending speech. Although individuals who are hard of hearing may have impaired hearing, they still retain some residual hearing abilities and can perceive sounds to varying degrees. However, there is a reduced ability to understand spoken language, especially in noisy environments or when the speaker is at a distance.
People who are hard of hearing typically face challenges in various aspects of their daily lives, such as engaging in conversations, attending social gatherings, or participating in educational or professional settings without accommodations. As a result, they often rely on hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or other assistive technologies to enhance their hearing abilities.
The classification of being hard of hearing is distinct from being deaf, as individuals who are deaf experience profound hearing loss or complete hearing loss, often relying on sign language or other forms of non-auditory communication.
To cater to the needs of the hard of hearing population, accessibility measures, such as closed captioning in videos, visual alerts for doorbells or alarms, and the provision of assisted listening devices in public venues, are often employed. Non-verbal or alternative forms of communication, such as written notes or lip reading, may also be used to facilitate effective communication with individuals who are hard of hearing.
