The HOH medical abbreviation means hard of hearing, a note that a patient has some hearing loss that affects how they understand speech. It is written so that everyone on the care team, from the front desk to the night nurse, knows to adjust how they talk with that person.
You will find HOH in nursing admission forms, handoff reports, care plans and sometimes on a sign at the bedside. This page explains what the term covers, how it differs from related labels, and the practical steps staff use when a chart says HOH.
At a glance
Stands for
Hard of hearingWritten as
HOH, hoh, H.O.H.Where you see it
Admission forms, handoffs, care plans, bedside signsOften paired with
Side noted, such as HOH R ear, and hearing aid useRelated labels
Deaf, Deaf (cultural community), hearing impairedDo not confuse with
HOB, head of bed
What the HOH medical abbreviation tells the care team
Hard of hearing describes hearing loss ranging from mild to severe in which the person still uses some hearing, often with help from hearing aids or other devices. The label is practical: it warns staff the patient may miss words, especially in noisy rooms or through a mask, and that instructions need to be checked for understanding.
HOH does not say how much hearing loss there is or what causes it. A thorough note adds which ear is better, whether the person uses hearing aids or a cochlear implant, and how they prefer to communicate.
Where HOH shows up in real records
Admission screen: "Sensory: HOH bilat, hearing aids at bedside, reads lips." The patient has hearing loss in both ears, keeps hearing aids nearby and relies partly on watching faces.
Handoff: "Very HOH, prefers written notes, family member interprets at times." The next nurse knows to have a whiteboard or paper ready and to involve family only as the patient wishes.
Pharmacy staff may also mark HOH in a profile so counseling can be done face to face in a quiet area or in writing.
Practical steps when a chart says HOH
- Face the person, with light on your face, before you start speaking.
- Reduce background noise, such as turning down the TV.
- Speak clearly at a normal pace; shouting distorts words.
- Make sure hearing aids are in, switched on and working.
- Use written notes, a whiteboard or captions when helpful.
- Offer a qualified sign language interpreter when the person uses sign language, rather than relying on family.
- Ask the person to repeat key instructions back in their own words.
Clear masks or a brief mask removal at a safe distance can also help people who lip read.
Why hearing status matters for safety
A patient who cannot hear well may agree to something they did not understand, miss medicine instructions, or seem confused when they simply did not catch the question. Recording HOH helps prevent that kind of mix up and supports informed consent.
Hearing notes often appear beside other sensory and function shorthand on the same form, such as ADL needs and orientation checks like A&O. For more of these terms, browse the nursing chart abbreviations.
If you or a family member has trouble hearing during care, tell the staff how you communicate best. Questions about hearing changes are best taken to your own clinician or audiologist.
Frequently asked questions
What does HOH mean on a patient chart?
It means hard of hearing. It alerts staff to adjust how they speak and to check that the patient understood.
Is HOH the same as deaf?
Not quite. HOH usually describes hearing loss with some usable hearing, while deaf often means little or no usable hearing. People may prefer one term over the other.
Why would a nurse write HOH in a handoff?
So the next nurse knows to face the patient, check hearing aids and use written notes if needed. It helps avoid missed instructions.
Is HOH the same as HOB?
No. HOB means head of bed, as in HOB up 30 degrees. The letters look alike, but the meanings are unrelated.