anacusis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rare / TechnicalMedical / Audiology / Academic
Quick answer
What does “anacusis” mean?
Complete deafness or total inability to perceive sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Complete deafness or total inability to perceive sound.
A profound, bilateral hearing loss where no functional hearing remains. In medical contexts, it specifically refers to a total absence of sound perception in both ears, not a severe but partial loss.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Both variants use the same term in identical technical contexts.
Connotations
Purely clinical and neutral in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, used almost exclusively by audiologists, otolaryngologists, and medical researchers.
Grammar
How to Use “anacusis” in a Sentence
The patient presented with anacusis.Anacusis resulted from the trauma.The diagnosis was bilateral anacusis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anacusis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition may anacuse the patient, though the verb form is virtually never used.
American English
- The trauma could anacuse the individual, but this verbal usage is highly theoretical.
adjective
British English
- The anacusic patient was referred for cochlear implant assessment.
- An anacusic ear shows no auditory brainstem response.
American English
- The anacusic individual relies solely on visual communication.
- An anacusic condition is confirmed by audiometric testing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and audiological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Never used. Common terms are 'completely deaf' or 'profoundly deaf'.
Technical
The primary domain. Used for precise diagnosis and classification in audiology and otology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anacusis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anacusis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anacusis”
- Using 'anacusis' to mean 'hard of hearing'.
- Pronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (AN-a-cusis). Correct stress is on the third syllable: an-a-CU-sis.
- Misspelling as 'anacusia' (though this is a variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is the most precise clinical term for total, bilateral deafness where no sound perception exists. Colloquially, 'deaf' can cover a broader range of hearing loss.
No. Hearing aids amplify sound, but if there is no functional hearing to stimulate, they are ineffective. Cochlear implants, which bypass the damaged ear and stimulate the auditory nerve directly, may be an option.
Through comprehensive audiological testing, including pure-tone audiometry (showing no response at maximum output), auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing.
Anacusis is solely the auditory condition of total deafness. 'Deaf-mutism' is an outdated and often offensive term that incorrectly implies anacusis or congenital deafness automatically causes an inability to speak. With proper training, individuals with anacusis can learn to speak.
Complete deafness or total inability to perceive sound.
Anacusis is usually medical / audiology / academic in register.
Anacusis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanəˈkjuːsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænəˈkjusɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a nurse saying, 'I CAN'T CUE SIS to listen, because she has ANACUSIS.' (A-na-CUE-sis -> can't cue/listen).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A SUBSTANCE THAT ENTERS THE BODY; anacusis is a total blockage or absence of that substance.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'anacusis'?