Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears, ranging from mild difficulty understanding speech to profound deafness. It can be present at birth (congenital) or occur later due to factors like noise exposure, infections, aging, or ototoxic medications. Hearing loss is classified by type (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed) and degree (mild, moderate, severe, or profound), and even a mild loss in childhood can impact speech and language development by reducing access to sound. SLPs frequently work with individuals who have hearing loss, collaborating with audiologists to ensure that these clients develop effective communication skills to mitigate the effects of reduced hearing on daily communication.
World Health Organization. “Deafness and Hearing Loss.” WHO Fact Sheet, updated February 26, 2025. Link
Verywell Health. "Hearing Loss and Developmental Delay in Children." February 2, 2017. Link
