Please remember, we are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. It is essential to seek the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your medication or treatment. This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Deafness is generally defined as the partial or complete loss of the ability to hear. The severity of hearing loss can range from mild to profound.

Here are some important aspects related to the definition of deaf:

• Degree of Hearing Loss:

  • Mild to severe hearing loss: People with this range of hearing loss are often referred to as hard of hearing. They typically communicate using spoken language and may benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices.
  • Profound hearing loss: This implies very little or no functional hearing. Individuals with profound hearing loss may identify as Deaf (often capitalised to denote cultural identity) and often use sign language as their primary mode of communication. They may also benefit from cochlear implants.

• Timing of Onset:

  • Congenital deafness: Hearing loss is present at birth.
  • Acquired deafness: Hearing loss occurs after birth due to various causes like illness, injury, noise exposure, or ageing.
  • Pre-lingual deafness: Hearing loss occurred before the individual learnt to speak. These individuals often identify strongly with Deaf culture and rely on sign language.
  • Post-lingual deafness: Hearing loss occurred after the individual acquired spoken language.

• Types of Hearing Loss:

  • Conductive hearing loss: Sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. This can be caused by earwax buildup, ear infections, or abnormalities in the middle ear. It is often temporary and can be treated medically or surgically.
  • Sensorineural hearing loss: This results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. Common causes include ageing, noise exposure, genetics, and certain illnesses or medications. This type of hearing loss is often permanent.
  • Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

• Cultural Identity: The term Deaf (with a capital "D") often refers to a cultural and linguistic identity. It encompasses individuals who primarily use sign language (like Auslan in Australia), share common experiences and values, and are part of the Deaf community. For many in this community, deafness is not seen as a disability but as a difference and a source of cultural richness.

It's important to use respectful and accurate terminology when referring to individuals with hearing loss. Many people who are deaf or hard of hearing prefer these terms over "hearing-impaired", which can be seen as negative.