Hearing, hearing impairment, and the audible world: a theoretical essay.

In contrast to traditional understandings about hearing, based on physics and physiology, the ecological model permits development of a perspective on hearing in relation to the audible features and characteristics of the real, day-to-day world. An ecological account, furthermore, addresses the perceiver's role more adequately, allowing the description of 'hearing acts' typically undertaken in relation to the audible world. The affordances or utilities of the audible world for the normally hearing perceiver having been understood - and the most crucial affordance is ongoing sustainment of social selves - a model of the hearing-impaired actor is advanced that incorporates the concept of 'management of spoiled identity'. The implications for practitioners' attitudes in assessment and rehabilitation are discussed.