How is the term 'deafness' defined in a medical context?

In a medical context, the term 'deafness' encompasses a range of hearing loss conditions, which can include partial hearing loss, total hearing loss, and the impact that hearing loss may have on the ability to understand speech.

Partial hearing loss refers to situations where a person can hear some sounds but not others, while total hearing loss indicates a complete inability to hear. The understanding of speech is also a critical aspect, as many individuals who are deaf may still have some residual hearing that affects how they perceive and understand spoken language.

Collectively, these aspects highlight the complexity of deafness and the different ways it can affect individuals. Therefore, the most comprehensive understanding includes all these definitions and effects, validating the choice that includes all of these elements.