Deafness and Hard of Hearing
Deafness generally refers to a physical condition manifested by a lack of sensitivity to sound. Legally, deafness is defined by levels of hearing loss whose severity is measured by the degree of loudness (or decibels) a sound must attain before it is heard by an individual. Mild deafness ranges from 10 dB to 30 dB, moderate deafness ranges from 30 dB to 60 dB, severe deafness ranges from 60 dB to 90 dB, and profound (or total) deafness ranges from 90 dB to 120 dB or more. Both severe and moderate deafness are commonly referred to as partial deafness, while mild deafness is usually referred to as hard of hearing.

Two common types of this impairment are sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. The former involves an impairment of the auditory nerve, and can be caused by the mumps, the measles, or meningitis. Sensorineural hearing loss may even be congenial. The latter is usually caused by damage or a dysfunction of the middle or outer ear system. Conductive deafness is the ear’s inability to efficient conduct sound waves.


The two main types of hearing loss are sensorineural (nerve deafness which involves impairment of the auditory nerve) and conductive deafness (usually a dysfunction of a part of the ear mechanism). Hearing loss is measured by decibels, and according to the decibel count the loss may be mild, moderate, or profound. The 21 million plus people in the United States who have this disability differ considerably. A person may be born with a hearing loss or may become hard of hearing due to an accident or illness. If the age of onset occurs before the acquisition of language and the development of speech, the individual may have language-based deficiencies such as poor syntax and vocabulary, and difficulty understanding abstract concepts.

Many persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing loss use keyboard-based telecommunications devices (TTY's), and can communicate with voice-telephone users via Telecommunications Relay Services, available in each state. For more information on TTY's, state relay services, and a listing of TTY locations on campus, see our TTY Locations @ NC State page.

General services available for students with deafness or hard of hearing
Accommodations vary, are based upon documentation and are determined on an individual basis. In the past, students have been eligible for some of the following accommodations: