deafen
Bombard with sound
To deafen is to make deaf, either temporarily or permanently.
Loud noises can deafen: The explosion deafened him for three days.
The word often appears as a participle: a deafening roar, deafening silence—the latter a paradox suggesting absence so complete it commands attention.
Unwanted auditory disturbance
- volumeAmount of space filled
- thunderStorm's acoustic aftermath
- roarLoud, deep animal cry
- blareLoud harsh noise
decibels · din · clamor · cacophony · boom · blast · racket · siren
Attack without ceasing
- inundateOverwhelm with excess
- overpowerDefeat by superior force
- drown outRender inaudible by volume
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
flood · overload · assault · barrage · saturate · besiege · swamp · wall of sound
Sudden forceful burst
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- concussionBrain injury from impact
- sonic boomShockwave's audible crack
- thunderclapExplosive atmospheric sound
detonation · percussion · shockwave · artillery · bomb · grenade · flashbang · rupture
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- tinnitusPerceived phantom ear sounds
- audiologyStudy of hearing disorders
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
- cochlear implantImplanted auditory nerve stimulator
conductive · audiogram · ear damage · noise-induced · permanent damage · eustachian tube
Total lack of sound
- muteWithout voice or sound
- drown outRender inaudible by volume
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- stifleSuppress or restrain
overpower · ignore · tune out · block out · numb · desensitize
Insertable sound blockers
- earmuffsPadded headgear covering ears
- noise-cancelingActively suppressing unwanted audio
- soundproofingPreventing noise transmission
- hearing protectionDevices guarding against noise damage
acoustic insulation · OSHA · safety equipment · ear defenders · sound barrier · industrial safety · shooting range · workplace safety
noise
Unwanted auditory disturbance
blare · decibels · din · clamor · cacophony · boom · blast · racket · siren · drumming
bombard
Attack without ceasing
engulf · flood · overload · assault · barrage · saturate · besiege · swamp · wall of sound · sensory overload
blast
Sudden forceful burst
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- concussionBrain injury from impact
- sonic boomShockwave's audible crack
thunderclap · detonation · percussion · shockwave · artillery · bomb · grenade · flashbang · rupture · sudden noise
hearing loss
Reduced ability to perceive sound
- tinnitusPerceived phantom ear sounds
- audiologyStudy of hearing disorders
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
cochlear implant · conductive · audiogram · ear damage · noise-induced · permanent damage · eustachian tube
silence
Total lack of sound
stifle · overpower · ignore · tune out · block out · numb · desensitize
earplugs
Insertable sound blockers
- earmuffsPadded headgear covering ears
- noise-cancelingActively suppressing unwanted audio
- soundproofingPreventing noise transmission
hearing protection · acoustic insulation · OSHA · safety equipment · ear defenders · sound barrier · industrial safety · shooting range · workplace safety
- tone deafCannot perceive pitch differences
- deafening silenceConspicuous lack of sound
- fall on deaf earsBe ignored despite being spoken
- deaf as a doorpostUtterly without hearing
- turn a deaf earIntentionally refuse to listen
- fallen on deaf earsIgnored despite being said