i-adjective
hard of hearing; deaf
Describes a person whose hearing is impaired, often due to age. Can be used literally or figuratively.
祖父は耳遠いので、大きい声で話さなければならない。
My grandfather is hard of hearing, so I have to speak in a loud voice.
i-adjective
Used when something is not well known or has not been heard of before. Often appears in negative contexts or with words like 話, 名前.
その作家の名前は耳遠い。
That author's name is unfamiliar to me.