Hindrance, n.
Etymology: [See Hinder, v. t.]
1. The act of hindering, or the state of being hindered.
2. That which hinders; an impediment. What various hindrances we meet. Cowper. Something between a hindrance and a help. Wordsworth.
Syn. -- Impediment; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty; interruption; check; delay; restraint.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for hindrance; he lists it under barrier, impediment.
Where he writes about it:
A hindrance (kindred with hind, behind) is anything that makes one come behind or short of his purpose. — from impediment
A difficulty or a hindrance may be either within one or without; a speaker may find difficulty in expressing himself, or difficulty in holding the attention of restless children. — from impediment