Deafness
Deafness is the state of being unable to hear, whether by genetic makeup, congenital defect, or external damage to a being's hearing. Some societies (such as the Ferengi) consider deafness a weakness or handicap, while others have no social stigma attached to it. Deafness could also come about as a result of aging.

Many well-known individuals throughout history have been deaf, including eighteenth century Earth musician and composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and twenty-fourth century mediator Riva. ()

In 2267, an aging Robert Johnson initially had some difficulty hearing Captain James T. Kirk address him. Later in the  sickbay when Kirk asked if he could hear him, he replied that he was not deaf yet. Shortly after, Lieutenant Arlene Galway experienced hearing difficulties following her exposure to the radiation on Gamma Hydra IV. When she told Dr. Leonard McCoy about it, he suggested hypersonic treatment and told her not to worry. ()

In 2285, when McCoy attempted to secure passage to  from a large-eared alien, he had to repeat the name of the planet, prompting him to ask the alien, "How can you be deaf with ears like that?" ()

In 2373, Quark became temporarily deaf in his right ear after being stranded on a cold Class L planet with few provisions. He explained to Odo that a one-eared Ferengi was considered only half a man. ()

In a vision sent to Benjamin Sisko by the Prophets and the Pah-wraith, Benny Russell encountered a preacher who quoted a passage from the Bible's book of Isaiah:     "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped." ()

See also 
Tone deafness

External link 
 
 

de:Taubheit (Ohr)
Medical conditions