unhearing
Ignoring all sound
Unhearing describes someone who fails to hear or listen, whether through physical inability or willful disregard.
Unlike deaf, which is a permanent condition, unhearing often suggests choosing not to listen: Her pleas fell on unhearing ears.
The word carries a sense of deliberate inattention or emotional unavailability.
Unable to hear
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
- sign-languageCommunication through gestures
- lip-readingInterpreting speech visually
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
accessibility · tinnitus · captioning · nonverbal · gestures · communication · inclusivity · audiology
Deliberately refusing to respond
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- refusingDeclining to accept
- resistantWithstanding external forces
unyielding · unfeeling · unsympathetic · callous · unempathetic · closed-minded · stubborn · willful
Lacking any awareness
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
- disregardingDeliberately not considering
heedless · unaware · indifferent · neglectful · distracted · preoccupied · unmindful · unheeding
deaf
Unable to hear
- audiologistHearing disorder specialist
- sign-languageCommunication through gestures
- lip-readingInterpreting speech visually
interpreter · accessibility · tinnitus · captioning · nonverbal · gestures · communication · inclusivity · audiology · decibel
stonewalling
Deliberately refusing to respond
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- refusingDeclining to accept
resistant · unyielding · unfeeling · unsympathetic · callous · unempathetic · closed-minded · stubborn · willful · obstinate
oblivious
Lacking any awareness
- ignoringDeliberately not noticing
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
disregarding · heedless · unaware · indifferent · neglectful · distracted · preoccupied · unmindful · unheeding · absent-minded