If someone cannot hear a shout from 2 to 3 feet away, what might this indicate?

When an individual cannot hear a shout from just 2 to 3 feet away, it strongly suggests that there may be an issue with their hearing ability. This distance is typically well within the range of normal hearing, so an inability to perceive sound at this proximity often points to possible hearing damage or impairment.

Normal hearing conditions would typically allow someone to hear sounds at this range without difficulty. Environmental distractions can also impact sound perception, but in this case, the specific context of distance implies an internal hearing issue rather than an external one. Therefore, the indication of possible hearing damage is the most reasonable conclusion in such a scenario, as it highlights a significant concern for the individual's auditory health.