Hearing loss affecting both ears is referred to as what?

Hearing loss that affects both ears is referred to as binaural hearing loss. This term comes from the prefix "bi-", meaning two, which indicates that the condition impacts both ears simultaneously. In contrast, unilateral hearing loss refers to a condition where only one ear is affected.

Binaural hearing loss can encompass various types of hearing impairments, including conductive and sensorineural loss, but the key characteristic is that it affects both ears. This distinction is important in audiology as it can influence treatment options and the types of assistive devices recommended for patients.

Conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss are specific categories describing the mechanisms through which sound is transmitted or processed in the auditory system but do not define the bilateral nature of the hearing loss itself. Thus, identifying it as binaural accurately reflects the involvement of both ears.