Comparability — Bangladesh [top]

In the 2011 sample, a person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as having any difficulty in hearing.

Comparability — Benin [top]

The 2002 census ask whether the person was deaf. The 2013 census had separate responses for hard of hearing or deaf, which are combined for the purpose of this harmonized variable.

Comparability — Botswana [top]

For all samples the variable is meant to gauge the level of disability: whether the person is totally deaf or just has defective hearing in either one or both ears.

A person is considered to have a defect of hearing if he/she cannot hear a whisper at a distance of two meters even with hearing aids.

Comparability — Brazil [top]

In 1991, only total permanent deafness qualifies as a "Yes" for DISDEAF. In 1991, persons with more than one disability condition are coded "Unknown" for DISDEAF, because the exact disabilities in those cases are not known. See DISABLED to identify these cases.

In 2000, any level of permanent hearing impairment that is not correctable with a hearing aid is coded "Yes". Note that this usage is different from the definition used for 2000 in DISABLED, which requires "significant" permanent difficulty hearing.

In 2010, the question asks for the self-reported level of permanent difficulty (the level is preserved in the unharmonized data) in hearing, even if wearing a hearing aid. A person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as having any level of permanent difficulty in hearing.

The 2000 and 2010 instructions for the question are the same, but there has been a significant increase in people reporting this type of disability.

Comparability — Burkina Faso [top]

A person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as being deaf.

The 1985 sample only provides the type of disability for residents of the household. The 1996 and 2006 samples provide the type of disability for all persons. The samples do not distinguish between temporary and permanent disabilities.

Comparability — Cambodia [top]

The census question in 2008 and 2013 defines an audial disability as the inability to hear at all (deaf), only being able to hear loud sounds, or deafness in one ear. People able to hear with hearing aids are not classified as disabled. This variable is irrespective of whether the person was born with the disability or developed it since birth -- details preserved in the unharmonized data. In 2013 questionnaire, with hearing -aid and one side functional hearing problem were also classified as hearing issues. The 2019 census asked whether the person has difficulty hearing even if using a hearing aid.

Comparability — Cameroon [top]

In the 2005 sample, a person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as being deaf.

Comparability — Chile [top]

The 1992 question refers to total deafness; an affirmative response in 2002 also included having limited hearing.

Comparability — Colombia [top]

The 1993 sample simply had a response for "loss of hearing". The 2005 census suggested a permanent limitation that could not be corrected with hearing aids.

Comparability — Costa Rica [top]

The questions differ between samples. In 2000 an affirmative response indicates "partial or total deafness" including wearing a hearing aid or being deaf in one ear. In 2011 the question indicates "difficulty with hearing" even with a hearing aid.

Comparability — Dominican Republic [top]

In 1981 and 2002, the variable indicates whether the respondent was deaf. In 2010, the variable indicates whether the respondent had permanent difficulty hearing.

Comparability — Ecuador [top]

In 2001, the affirmative response to the question indicates complete deafness or wearing a hearing aid.

In 2010, persons reported having a permanent hearing disability that has lasted for more than one year. If a person indicates that has to wear hearing aids because he/she no longer hears well, this condition is not registered as a disability.

Comparability — Egypt [top]

The 1986 and 1996 samples indicate deafness as a category within a question about the type of disability.

Persons who are both deaf and disabled in another way are coded as "yes" for DISDEAF. However, persons reporting multiple unidentified disabilities are coded "unknown", because the exact disabilities in those cases are not specified. See DISABLED to identify these cases.

Comparability — El Salvador [top]

The universe changes from all persons in the 1992 sample to persons in private households in the 2007 sample.

The 1992 sample refers to persons with total deafness, while the 2007 sample identifies permanent limitations in hearing, even when using hearing aids.

Comparability — Ethiopia [top]

The censuses asked a similar question, basically if the person was deaf or had a hearing difficulty. Speaking difficulty is combined with hearing in all years.

Comparability — France [top]

The "Yes" response for the French sample is the combination of responses for "deaf" and "deaf-mute".

Comparability — Ghana [top]

The data indicate whether the respondent had a serious hearing disability that limited his/her full participation in life activities such as mobility, work, social life, etc.

Comparability — Guatemala [top]

The 1981 census instructions do not discuss degree of impediment. The 1994 census specifies that partial inability to hear qualifies as disabled. 1981 has a specific source variable for deaf-mute, whereas 1994 combines all disability responses into one variable, leaving no option for multiple disabilities.

Comparability — Guinea [top]

The 1996 sample report three separate responses: deaf, blind and deaf, and deaf and mute. The 2014 sample reports responses for "deaf" and "deaf and mute". Other multiple disabilities that may have included deafness are not identified. Responses were to include only persons who were completely deaf.

Comparability — Haiti [top]

The 2003 sample, a person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as being deaf.

Comparability — Indonesia [top]

There are slight universe changes from 1980 to 2010.

The 1980 sample identifies in a single category persons who cannot speak at all (mute) and persons who cannot hear (deaf), not specifying whether either or both disabilities could be present, while the 2010 sample refers to difficulties in hearing, even when using hearing aids. The 2005 sample only indicates the use of hearing aids but not whether the person has limitations in hearing even with them and thus it was not integrated for the DISDEAF variable.

Comparability — Iran [top]

The variable indicates whether a person is deaf, defined as not being able to hear anything even with a hearing aid device.

Comparability — Iraq [top]

There were no specific instructions regarding deafness. There was a separate response for "mute".

Comparability — Ireland [top]

The 2011 data indicate whether the respondent had long-lasting deafness or serious hearing impairment.

Comparability — Israel [top]

The census question asks for difficulty in hearing, even with a hearing aid; the response "does not have difficulty or has a mild difficulty" is coded as "no" in DISDEAF.

Comparability — Jamaica [top]

In both samples, the variable indicates a disability in hearing only, defined as an audial restriction or lack of audial ability to perform activities in the "manner considered normal for a human being". Those with multiple disabilities, due to the inability to determine the type of disability, are grouped in the unknown category. See DISABLED to identify these cases.

There are slight variations on the question universes but the samples are otherwise comparable.

Comparability — Kenya [top]

In 2009, a person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as having any difficulty in hearing. Hearing impairment refers to complete deafness or partial hearing in one or both ears. Persons who are able to hear well with the aid of devices are not considered to be having this disability. The respondents were to report up to three disabilities, the first being the most disabling.

Comparability — Liberia [top]

The "yes" category includes persons who indicated that they had a hearing difficulty, were deaf or were deaf and dumb. For more detail see the unharmonized source variable. Persons with multiple unspecified disabilities are coded as "Unknown".

Comparability — Malawi [top]

The census asks if the respondent has any problems or difficulty in hearing which "inhibit the ability to work or participate in normal activities".

Comparability — Malaysia [top]

The 1980 sample had a single "deaf or dumb" response that was to be reported if the person was unable to attend normal schools or secure a job. The 2000 sample allowed the recording of three separate disabilities instead of choosing the one that posed the greatest limitation.

Comparability — Mali [top]

All samples defined disability as diseases or conditions contributing to ill health, slow economic activity, lower productivity or production effort in individuals. The same question was asked in the 1987 and the 1998 censuses.

In the 1987 and 1998 samples, deafness includes people who are "deaf, mute or deaf and mute". The 1998 has a separate category for people with difficulty in hearing, which is interpreted as deaf in this variable. There are no instructions for what constitutes difficulty in hearing in the 1998 sample. The 2009 sample identifies persons with hearing disabilities. The instructions do not provide further details. In 2009, persons with multiple unspecified disabilities are coded as "Unknown".

Comparability — Mauritius [top]

The 1990 and 2000 harmonized variables are constructed from the first, second, and third reported disabilities.

The 2011 sample reports different levels of difficulty in hearing, where persons with any level of difficulty hearing are classified as "yes". The difficulty levels are preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Mexico [top]

The 2000 and 2010 samples include persons with deafness affecting either or both ears and those with difficulties hearing, defined as the ability to hear only high pitched noises in the former sample and weak audio or advanced hearing problems in the latter. Furthermore, the 2000 sample includes persons who use any kind of hearing aid, while the 2010 sample also requires that they have listening difficulties even when using these devices. Both the 2000 and 2010 samples refer to a disability that limits the person's ability to carry out daily life activities. The 2020 sample refers to hearing difficulties in one or both ears, even when using a hearing aid or implant.

Comparability — Morocco [top]

The 2004 sample identifies persons unable to practice daily activities in a normal way because of a total or partial hearing disability (deafness).

The 2014 sample indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing, where persons with any level of difficulty hearing are classified as "yes". The difficulty levels are preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Mozambique [top]

In 2007 census the question indicates simply if the person was deaf or not.

Comparability — Myanmar [top]

The 2014 sample indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing, where persons with any level of difficulty seeing are hearing as "yes". The difficulty levels are preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Nepal [top]

Deafness includes limited or total loss of hearing. People who are both deaf and mute are also included in this category. Persons with more than one disability condition are coded "Unknown" for DISDEAF, because the exact disabilities in those cases are not known. See DISABLED to identify these cases.

Comparability — Pakistan [top]

In the 1973 sample, disability is defined as physical or organ impairment from birth or due to accident or illness. Deafness includes individuals who are deaf, mute, or deaf and mute. DISDEAF is not available in the 1981 and 1998 samples.

Comparability — Panama [top]

All samples report the inability to hear or talk except through sign language. The 1980 sample asked the question only of persons age 40 and younger.

In 2010, the affirmative response to the question indicates the complete inability to hear or talk, even with the help of hearing aids. This question also includes those who communicate through sign language. In previous samples, the question only considered deafness or very limited hearing as a physical impairment.

Comparability — Paraguay [top]

The 1962-1992 samples asked if the person was deaf or not. In 2002 the "yes" category includes "deaf" and "does not hear well, needs or uses a hearing aid."

Comparability — Philippines [top]

For the 1990, 1995, and 2000 samples, the question was directed to non-visitors while the in the 2010 sample, the question was directed to persons 5 or more years old.

In the 1995 and 2000 samples any level of limitation (total, partial or hard of hearing) is considered a disability. In the 2010 sample, those with a disability are those with a functional difficulty in hearing, even if using a hearing aid. Partial deafness also qualifies as a disability in 1990.

Comparability — Portugal [top]

Hearing disability is defined as complete or significant loss of hearing, but it included persons who could hear with a hearing aid.

There was a single question on type of disability. If a person had more than one disability, the one causing the greatest degree of incapacity was chosen.

Comparability — Puerto Rico [top]

In 2010, 2015, and 2020, the variable indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing.

Comparability — Rwanda [top]

There is a minor universe difference between samples.

For the 2002 sample, there was a single question on type of disability. If a person had more than one disability, the most severe one was to be reported. This is not the case for the 2012 sample where respondents can list up to six types of disabilities.

The 2002 census combined responses for mute and deaf in the same category, but deaf persons are separated out using the language question, which included a category for muteness. The 2012 census specifies whether the person had a disability regarding hearing.

Comparability — Saint Lucia [top]

The 1991 sample identifies individuals with a permanent hearing disability or impairment. Partial deafness is implied. The question was not asked in the 1980 census.

Comparability — Senegal [top]

Disability is defined as conditions that limit individual's ability to perform daily activities. The 2002 sample identifies individuals with "inability to hear", implying total deafness. Deafness was not among the disabilities identified in 1988.

The 2013 census question reports different levels of difficulty in hearing. Persons with any level of difficulty are classified as "yes" in 2013. These details are preserved in the unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Sierra Leone [top]

In the 2014 sample, the variable indicates if the person's most serious disability is either deafness or hearing difficulty. Therefore, a person may go unrecorded yet still have hearing difficulty because it is not his/her most "serious" disability.

The 2015 sample records if the person's main or second type of disability is either deaf or partially deaf.

Comparability — South Africa [top]

The samples asked similar questions, seeking to identify "serious" hearing disabilities. The 2001 sample stated that wearing a hearing aid did not qualify as deaf for the purpose of the census question, and 2007 indicated the person should be "profoundly hard of hearing". The 2011 and 2016 questionnaires asked if the person has a difficulty hearing, with DISDEAF coding as a disability any amount of difficulty. The level of difficulty reported is preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable. The frequencies of hearing problems are very different among years although the questions are similar.

The 1996-2007 samples have information for persons of all ages, while in 2011-2016 only for persons age 5+. The 2011 sample asked this question of all persons, but the census documentation recommended including only persons age 5+ in the analysis of disability. Thus, DISDEAF has responses restricted to persons age 5+ in the variable universe. The original responses for persons under this age are available in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — South Sudan [top]

The variable indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing. Deafness and difficulty in hearing are separable using the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Sudan [top]

The variable indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing. Total deafness and difficulty hearing are separable using the unharmonized source variables.

Comparability — Suriname [top]

The 2012 sample reports different levels of difficulty in hearing, where persons with any level of difficulty hearing are classified as "yes". The difficulty levels are preserved in the corresponding unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — Tanzania [top]

The 2002 sample indicates deafness as a category within a question about disability. No further information is available about the severity of deafness required to qualify as disabled. Persons with more than one disability condition are coded "Unknown" for DISDEAF, because the exact disabilities in those cases are not known. See DISABLED to identify these cases.

In 2012, the variable aimed to gauge the respondent's level of deafness. Persons who had any level of difficulty hearing were coded as "yes" for the DISDEAF variable.

No information about disability was asked in 1988.

Comparability — Thailand [top]

The sample identifies individuals who are completely deaf. The sample distinguishes between individuals who are "deaf" and those who are "mute".

Comparability — Togo [top]

Deafness is not defined in terms of degree. The data are derived from separate variables recording up to two disabilities. Responses of deaf-mute are included in DISDEAF.

Comparability — Trinidad and Tobago [top]

The 2000 and 2011 censuses asked whether the person has hearing impairment even while using a hearing guide or hearing aide.

Comparability — Turkey [top]

In the 1985 sample, persons with deafness in either or both ears are coded as "Yes". In the 2000 sample, hearing impaired refers to persons with an inability or limited ability to hear in one or both ears, or under some circumstances, only barely able to hear using a hearing aid. Persons with more than one disability in the 2000 sample, due to the inability to determine the type of disability, are grouped in the unknown category. Both samples refer to a disability that limits daily life activities or work.

Comparability — Uganda [top]

The 2002 sample stipulated that a disability was a condition expected to last 6 months or more. The threshold for disability in both samples is the ability to perform normal activities. The 1991 category was "deaf and dumb". The 2014 sample asks for difficulty in hearing. It reports different levels of difficulty, where persons with any level of difficulty hearing are classified as "yes"; these details are preserved in the unharmonized source variable.

Comparability — United States [top]

In 2010, 2015, and 2020, the variable indicates whether the person has any difficulty in hearing.

Comparability — Uruguay [top]

The 2006 sample identifies persons with permanent hearing limitations, including persons with total deafness and those that still using hearing aids cannot overcome this limitation, which affect the ability to perform daily life activities. Data is only available for persons interviewed in the third trimester of the household survey.

The 2011 data indicate if the person had any permanent difficulty hearing. The level of difficulty is preserved in the source variable unharmonized data.

Comparability — Venezuela [top]

Both samples report if the person was totally deaf.

Comparability — Vietnam [top]

The census asks for the self-reported level of difficulty (the level is preserved in the unharmonized data) in hearing. A person is classified as disabled if he/she responds as having any level of difficulty in hearing.

Comparability — Zambia [top]

The 1990 data indicate if the person was deaf/dumb. In the 2000 sample there are two separate source variables on hearing disabilities. One records if the person had complete hearing loss and one records if the person had partial hearing loss. Respondents who indicated complete or partial hearing loss are included in the "Yes" category in DISDEAF. See the unharmonized source variables for more detail. Persons who were deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf and dumb are included in the "Yes" category in the 2010 sample. Persons with multiple disabilities are coded as "Unknown".

Comparability — Zimbabwe [top]

The 2012 census ask whether the person was deaf or has difficulty hearing, these two responses are combined for the purpose of this harmonized variable.