Deafness is a partial or complete inability to hear. It can range from mild hearing loss to total loss of hearing in one or both ears.

Deafness may be:Congenital (present at birth)

Acquired (developed later in life due to illness, injury, aging, or exposure to loud noise)

There are three main types:

1. Conductive deafness – caused by problems in the outer or middle ear (e.g., ear infections, earwax blockage)

2. Sensorineural deafness – caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve

3. Mixed deafness – a combination of both Deafness can affect communication, language development, and social interaction, especially if it occurs early in life.

Supportive tools include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and sign language.