The lack or severe impairment of the ability to hear. Deafness is usually genetic or congenital as a result of prenatal viral infection, birth trauma, or other causes. Acquired deafness is caused mostly by drug toxicity, trauma, and certain diseases. Cochlear implants are used to treat some forms of deafness.
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(figuratively) Lack of knowledge or refusal to admit a particular problem, issue, etc.
Young Treitschke was prevented by deafness from entering the public service.
For this reason it is used to remove corneal opacities, deafness due to thickening of the membrane, stricture of the oesophagus and hypertrophy of the pylorus, it has also been successful in the treatment of adhesive parametritis.
An accident brought on deafness, and in November 1819 he was sent to the workhouse, where he was employed in making list shoes.
The attacks of giddiness and deafness to which he had always been liable increased upon him.
In large doses it is a poison causing giddiness, deafness, salivation, sweating and convulsions.