What term describes hearing loss affecting both ears?

The term that describes hearing loss affecting both ears is "bilateral." This term signifies that the hearing impairment is present in both ears, which can be equally or unequally affected. Understanding the distinction between bilateral hearing loss and other types of hearing loss is important in hearing assessments and developing appropriate interventions and support strategies for individuals with hearing impairments.

In contrast, unilateral refers to hearing loss in only one ear, while symmetrical describes a situation where the degree of hearing loss is similar in both ears, which is not necessarily a description of bilateral loss, as it can imply similar conditions without indicating that both ears are affected. Asymmetrical refers to hearing loss that differs significantly between the two ears, which also does not denote that both ears are necessarily impacted in the same way.