hearing

The ability to notice sounds through your ears, or the act of listening to a sound.

• My hearing is good.
• Loud music can damage your hearing.
• She went for a hearing test yesterday.

Opposites: deafness

Common phrases: hearing loss, hearing aid, good hearing, poor hearing

An official meeting where people listen to evidence or arguments before making a decision.

• The hearing starts tomorrow.
• She spoke at a public hearing.
• The committee held a hearing on the proposed changes.

How to use it: hearing on something (There will be a hearing on the planning application.)

Common phrases: court hearing, public hearing, hearing on something

A court meeting where a judge listens to evidence or arguments without a jury.

• The judge ordered a hearing.
• Witnesses gave evidence at the hearing.
• The hearing took place without a jury.

How to use it: hearing before someone (The hearing before the judge lasted two hours.)

Common phrases: evidentiary hearing, court hearing, hearing before someone

To notice sounds through your ears.

• I am hearing a strange noise.
• She kept hearing footsteps upstairs.
• Are you hearing the music clearly?

How to use it: hear someone/something doing something (I keep hearing someone knocking at the door.); hear someone/something do something (She remembers hearing the bell ring.)

Common phrases: hearing a noise, hearing someone sing, hearing something clearly

Able to notice sounds through the ears.

• Her parents are both hearing.
• The class includes deaf and hearing children.
• Hearing people can learn sign language too.

Opposites: deaf

Common phrases: hearing people, hearing parents, hearing children