Deafness and hearing loss are terms used to describe a wide range of hearing-related conditions. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may experience difficulty hearing, understanding, and communicating with others. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and can occur at any age.

Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, aging, exposure to loud noises, certain medications, and illnesses. It is estimated that over 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing