deafness; hearing impairment; the deaf
A polite, indirect expression for deafness or people with hearing difficulties. Often used in formal or considerate contexts.
We have prepared sign language interpretation for people with hearing impairments.
He doesn't give up because of his deafness.
難聴 is a medical term for hearing loss, while 耳の不自由 is a softer, more euphemistic expression.
聴覚障害 is the formal term for hearing disability; 耳の不自由 is less clinical and more considerate in everyday speech.
Compound of 耳 (ear) + の (possessive particle) + 不自由 (inconvenience, disability). Literally 'inconvenience of the ear', used as a euphemism for deafness.