Hard of Hearing

What does hard of hearing mean?

Hard of hearing and deafness is a problem which concerns 52 million Europeans. The term is used as a definition covering everyone with a hearing loss ranging from a mild hearing loss to profoundly deafened adult users.

Unlike pre-lingual deaf people, hard of hearing people develop and use the spoken language (with or without supportive signs). Hard of hearing and late deafened people are reliant on visual text to ensure access to information on an equal basis with hearing people. They also utilize hearing technology including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive technology such as hearing loops.