hard of hearing

or hard-of-hear·ing

[ hahrd-uhv-heer-ing ]

adjective

1. having reduced or deficient hearing ability; having mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss:

   We provide amplified phones for those who are hard of hearing so that they can communicate with friends and family.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. people who have reduced or deficient hearing ability:

   Besides being an aid for the hard of hearing, subtitles improve comprehension for viewers learning a different language.

hard of hearing

adjective

1. 1. deaf or partly deaf
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the hard of hearing

Usage

See elderly

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard of hearing¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Idioms and Phrases

Somewhat deaf, having a partial loss of hearing. For example, You'll have to speak distinctly; Dad's a little hard of hearing . The use of hard in the sense of “difficulty in doing something” survives only in this expression. [Mid-1500s]

Example Sentences

The aim of the method is to graduate its pupils as hard-of-hearing speaking people, instead of deaf-mutes.

From Project Gutenberg