What Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a decrease in the ability to hear sounds and speech. It can range from mild to severe and can be caused by a variety of factors. Hearing loss often occurs gradually, and can be caused by aging, medications, certain illnesses, and exposure to loud noises.

What Is Deafness?

Deafness is a total or partial inability to hear. It is usually defined as being unable to hear sounds that are louder than 25 decibels. Deafness can be congenital (born with it) or acquired (developed later in life). It is the most severe form of hearing loss and affects a person’s ability to communicate in spoken language.

The Difference Between Hearing Loss and Deafness

The main difference between hearing loss and deafness is the degree of impairment. Hearing loss is a decrease in the ability to hear sounds and speech while deafness is a total or partial inability to hear.

Hearing loss can range from mild to profound, while deafness is most severe and affects a person’s ability to communicate in spoken language. People with hearing loss may be able to understand speech if it is spoken loudly or slowly, while people with deafness usually cannot understand spoken language at all.

Hearing aids can often help people with hearing loss, but for those with deafness, cochlear implants are often recommended. Cochlear implants are electronic devices that send sound signals directly to the brain, allowing people with deafness to perceive sound.

In conclusion, hearing loss and deafness are both forms of hearing impairment, but they differ in degree and severity. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound while deafness is the most severe form of hearing impairment and affects a person’s ability to communicate in spoken language. Hearing aids are often used to help people with hearing loss, while cochlear implants are often recommended for those with deafness.