expression, i-adjective
Describes someone who has difficulty hearing; a polite, indirect expression. Often used with 年を取ると or similar contexts. Compare with 耳が遠い, which is more common.
See also: 耳が遠い
祖父は耳の遠いので、大きい声で話してください。
My grandfather is hard of hearing, so please speak in a loud voice.
年を取ると耳の遠くなる人が多い。
Many people become hard of hearing as they get older.
More common variant using が instead of の; same meaning and register.
Phrase composed of 耳 (ear) + の (possessive particle) + 遠い (distant). Literally 'one's ears are distant', a euphemism for hearing difficulty.