hearing impairment

USAGE SUMMARY

"hearing impairment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to an inability to hear that may be caused by birth defects, disease, or physical damage. For example, "The pandemic has made it more difficult for people with hearing impairments to access basic services."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Individuals with either vision or hearing impairment are then considered to be sensory impaired.

Health Economics Review

This hearing impairment is painless.

Britannica

Impulse noise is an important cause of hearing impairment.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

She received a master's degree in hearing impairment from Columbia.

The New York Times

Computational models of hearing impairment and speech intelligibility.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sensory impairment in children, including visual and hearing impairment.

Stanford University

The biological determinants of hearing impairment remain poorly understood.

The Lancet

Hearing impairment (HI) is the most frequent sensory defect.

The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics

When isolated impulses occur a "pressure" damage risk criterion can be used to estimate the resulting hearing impairment.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In a series of experimental studies the hypothesis that periods of silence reduce the risk of hearing impairment was tested.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Marvin suffered from the twin handicaps of congenital hearing impairment and developmental delay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about disabilities, use person-first language (e.g., "a person with a hearing impairment" instead of "a hearing-impaired person") to emphasize the individual.

Common error

Avoid using the term "deafness" interchangeably with "hearing impairment". "Deafness" typically indicates a profound or complete loss of hearing, while "hearing impairment" encompasses a broader spectrum of hearing loss, from mild to severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hearing impairment" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a condition related to a reduced ability to hear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hearing impairment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a reduced ability to hear. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. The analysis reveals that it functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to describe a sensory deficit across a range of contexts, with particular prevalence in science, news, and encyclopedia sources. While alternatives like "hearing loss" exist, "hearing impairment" offers a versatile and widely understood means of referring to auditory difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hearing loss

Refers to the decreased ability to perceive sounds, similar to "hearing impairment".

auditory impairment

Focuses on the auditory system's diminished function, closely mirroring "hearing impairment".

impaired hearing

Highlights that the hearing ability is not functioning correctly, analogous to "hearing impairment".

reduced hearing ability

Emphasizes the diminished capacity to hear, much like "hearing impairment".

difficulty hearing

Highlights the struggle to hear clearly, similar to experiencing "hearing impairment".

hearing deficit

Focuses on lacking the full capacity of hearing, similar to "hearing impairment".

deafness

Indicates a more severe or complete loss of hearing, a potential outcome of "hearing impairment".

hard of hearing

Describes someone who experiences difficulty hearing, aligning with the condition of "hearing impairment".

auditory dysfunction

Describes improper functioning of the auditory system, which can lead to "hearing impairment".

diminished hearing acuity

Emphasizes that sharpness of hearing is reduced, an aspect of "hearing impairment".

FAQs

What's the difference between "hearing impairment" and "hearing loss"?

"Hearing impairment" is a broader term encompassing any degree of hearing reduction. "Hearing loss" is more specific and refers to the actual decrease in auditory perception. In many contexts, the terms are used interchangeably.

How can I use "hearing impairment" in a sentence?

You can use "hearing impairment" to describe a condition affecting someone's ability to hear. For example, "The study investigated the impact of noise pollution on the development of "hearing impairment"".

What are some alternatives to saying "hearing impairment"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hearing loss", "auditory impairment", or "reduced hearing ability". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hearing impairment" when referring to someone who is deaf?

While "hearing impairment" can technically encompass deafness, it's generally more respectful and accurate to use the term "deaf" or "Deaf" (capitalized when referring to the cultural identity) when specifically referring to individuals with profound hearing loss. In other cases use the terms "hard of hearing" or "partially deaf".