Translation guide
Describes someone with partial hearing loss. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 難聴 (なんちょう), but everyday expressions like 耳が遠い (みみがとおい) are also used. Be mindful of politeness and context.
To say that someone has partial hearing loss, either as a neutral description or in everyday conversation.
The standard medical and neutral term for 'hard of hearing' or 'hearing loss'. Can be used in formal and informal contexts.
彼は難聴です。
He is hard of hearing.
難聴のため、補聴器を使っています。
I use a hearing aid because I'm hard of hearing.
A common, everyday expression meaning 'hard of hearing'. Literally 'ears are distant'. It is generally polite and can be used to describe others, especially elderly people.
祖母は耳が遠いので、大きい声で話してください。
My grandmother is hard of hearing, so please speak loudly.
最近耳が遠くなった気がする。
I feel like I've become hard of hearing lately.
A more formal term for a 'person with hearing loss' or 'hard-of-hearing person'. Often used in official or medical contexts.
この施設は難聴者のためのサポートを提供しています。
This facility provides support for people who are hard of hearing.
A polite and considerate way to say 'hearing-impaired' or 'hard of hearing'. Literally 'ears are inconvenient'. Often used in formal or sensitive contexts.
耳が不自由な方のために、字幕を用意しました。
We have prepared subtitles for those who are hard of hearing.
Literally 'to have a hearing disability'. This is a more clinical and direct term, often used in medical or legal contexts. It can sound blunt in casual conversation.
彼は聴覚障害があるため、手話を使います。
He uses sign language because he has a hearing disability.
To describe one's own hearing difficulty in a humble or matter-of-fact way.
Can be used to describe oneself without sounding overly clinical. It is a common, humble expression.
すみません、耳が遠いのでもう一度言っていただけますか。
Sorry, I'm hard of hearing, could you say that again?
A very casual and direct way to say 'my hearing is bad'. It can sound a bit blunt or self-deprecating. Use with caution in polite settings.
Can sound blunt or overly negative. '耳が遠い' is generally safer.
耳が悪くて、小さい声が聞こえにくいんです。
My hearing is bad, so I have trouble hearing quiet voices.
To inquire politely whether someone has difficulty hearing.
A polite and common way to ask if someone is hard of hearing. Suitable for most situations.
おばあさんは耳が遠いですか？
Is your grandmother hard of hearing?
A more formal and considerate way to ask. Often used when speaking to someone directly or about someone with respect.
耳が不自由ですか？字幕をお付けしましょうか？
Are you hard of hearing? Shall I turn on the subtitles?
耳が遠い is an everyday, somewhat euphemistic expression often used for elderly people. 難聴 is the neutral medical term. Use 耳が遠い in casual conversation and 難聴 in formal or clinical settings.
Do not translate 'hard' literally as 硬い (かたい) or 難しい (むずかしい) when referring to hearing. These would be incorrect and confusing. Stick to the expressions above.