What is the term for the loss or impairment of the ability to process and use language?

The term for the loss or impairment of the ability to process and use language is aphasia. This condition affects an individual's ability to communicate effectively, impacting skills such as speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Aphasia can occur due to various reasons, often related to brain injuries such as strokes, head trauma, or neurological disorders. It is important to note that aphasia does not affect a person's intelligence but rather their capacity to utilize language.

In contrast, dysarthria refers specifically to difficulties in articulating words due to muscle control issues, rather than a direct impairment in language processing. The terms "hard of hearing" and "residual hearing" relate to hearing impairments, which affect the ability to hear sounds rather than process language itself. These distinctions underscore the specific nature of aphasia as a language processing disorder.