Anacusia

/ˌænəˈkuːziə/ noun

Definition

A medical condition characterized by the complete or partial loss of the sense of hearing; a form of deafness or hearing impairment.

Etymology

From Greek ana- (without, not) + akousis (hearing, from akouein, to hear). This medical term uses the Greek privative prefix combined with the root for auditory sensation.

Kelly Says

Ancient Greek doctors didn't have audiometers, but they created anacusia to describe what happens when hearing completely fails—showing that medical terminology often preserves how ancient physicians understood the body.

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