impairment

A condition that makes seeing, hearing, moving, or another everyday activity difficult.

• She has a hearing impairment.
• The school supports children with visual impairments.
• His mobility impairment makes stairs difficult.

Similar words: disability

Common phrases: visual impairment, hearing impairment, sensory impairment

A state in which something cannot work as well as it normally does.

• The injury left him with some impairment.
• Alcohol can cause impairment of judgment.
• The assessment found no lasting impairment of memory.

How to use it: impairment of something (The medicine can cause impairment of alertness.)

Similar words: damage, dysfunction

Common phrases: functional impairment, impairment of something

A process in which something becomes weaker or works less well.

• The disease causes gradual impairment of lung function.
• They measured the impairment of performance after prolonged stress.
• Early treatment may prevent further impairment.

How to use it: impairment of something (Noise can lead to impairment of hearing over time.)

Similar words: deterioration, weakening

Opposites: improvement

Common phrases: gradual impairment, impairment of something

Loss of a usual body or mental function, which may make everyday activities harder.

• The assessment recorded an impairment of hand function.
• A physical impairment does not always prevent someone from working.
• The report distinguishes impairment from difficulties in daily activities.

How to use it: impairment of something (The injury caused impairment of muscle function.)

Similar words: functional loss, deficiency

Common phrases: physical impairment, cognitive impairment, functional impairment