deafness

American  

[def-nis] / ˈdɛf nɪs /

noun

1. the condition of being deaf; inability to hear.

2. unwillingness to listen.

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deafness Scientific  

/ dĕf′nĭs /

1. The lack or severe impairment of the ability to hear. Deafness is usually genetic or congenital as a result of prenatal viral infection, birth trauma, or other causes. Acquired deafness is caused mostly by drug toxicity, trauma, and certain diseases. Cochlear implants are used to treat some forms of deafness.

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Other Word Forms

• near-deafness
  noun

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deafness

Pride often refers to his deafness as a “hearing difference” rather than an impairment or handicap.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

Regeneron’s gene therapy to cure a rare form of deafness treats so few children that the company decided to make the treatment free.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

English historian Simon Schama described Hegseth’s words as “a special kind of loathsomeness: a blend of historical deafness, grotesque stupidity and comically ludicrous self-importance.”

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

All had a genetic form of deafness linked to mutations in a gene called OTOF.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026

But even though his deafness prevented him from hearing Merrithew crying out for help, he knew his coworker and friend was in the building and in serious trouble.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

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