Yes, people who are hard of hearing can hear, but their hearing ability is reduced compared to someone with normal hearing.
According to available information, the term "hard of hearing" refers to a hearing loss where some residual hearing remains. This means that, unlike someone who is deaf (where there may be very little or no functional hearing), individuals who are hard of hearing often have enough hearing that can be assisted by auditory devices. These include hearing aids or FM systems, in order to adequately process speech.
| Term | Hearing Ability | Assistance Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Hard of Hearing | Reduced hearing; some residual hearing remains. | Often, yes. |
| Deaf | Very little to no functional hearing. | Usually. |
In essence:
- People who are hard of hearing experience a degree of hearing loss.
- They are not completely without hearing.
- Their hearing can often be improved with the use of assistive devices like hearing aids.
