title: Definitions of types of hearing impairment: a discussion paper.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a clear and meaningful set of definitions of types of hearing impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A critical analysis was made of previous definitions together with a consideration of current knowledge of functions and dysfunctions of the auditory system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A coherent set of definitions compatible with the contemporary understanding of auditory disorders and their perceptual effects is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Katrin.Neumann@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Dafydd
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D001299:Audiometry; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D003051:Cochlea / Q000503:physiopathology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology; D046089:Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans