A partial or complete loss o f hearing in one or both ears; the level of impairment varies from a mild but important loss of sensitivity to a total loss of hearing. An inherited or acquired condition characterized by a partial or complete loss of hearing in one or both ears. The level of impairment varies from a mild but important loss of sensitivity to a total loss of hearing. An inherited or acquired condition characterized by the complete loss of the ability to hear from one or both ears.