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Deafness can be simply defined as the inability to hear.
Hearing impairment may be more specifically described according to its degree:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound
Hearing losses are also generally categorised according to whereabouts along the hearing 'pathway' they occur.
A conductive loss occurs when something interferes with sound travelling between the outer and inner ears (eg, infection). These are usually medically or surgically treatable.
A sensorineural loss results from damage to the cochlea (the organ of hearing) or the auditory nerve. It may cause reduced sound levels, distortion and other problems. Hearing aids or cochlear implants are often recommended.
The term 'Deaf' (often with a capital D) is often used to describe people who identify with the Deaf community, which uses Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
