normal-hearing
UK[ˈnɔːməl ˌhɪərɪŋ]US[ˈnɔːrməl ˌhɪrɪŋ]
adj
Having the ability to hear sounds within the standard range of human hearing; not having a hearing impairment.
Morpheme Breakdown
normal
hearing
normal
standard
hearing
perceiving sound
Etymology
The compound adjective 'normal-hearing' is a modern, descriptive term formed within the English language. Its first element, 'normal', originates from the Latin norma, a tool for establishing right angles, which evolved to signify an authoritative standard or pattern. The second element, 'hearing', derives from the Old English verb for auditory perception. The compound logically combines these concepts to create a clinical and descriptive term meaning 'possessing auditory acuity that falls within the statistically common or expected range', directly contrasting with terms like 'hard-of-hearing' or 'deaf'. Its formation follows the common English pattern of adjective-noun compounding to specify a type or quality.
Analysis
Structure: normal (standard) + hearing (perceiving sound)
- normal: From Latin normalis (made according to a carpenter's square, standard), from norma (carpenter's square, rule, pattern). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning 'conforming to a standard'.
- hearing: From Old English hīeran (to hear). In this compound, it is a gerund (verbal noun) meaning 'the act or faculty of perceiving sound'.
Examples
The study compared the auditory processing speeds of normal-hearing individuals with those who have cochlear implants.
Children with normal-hearing are often placed in mainstream classrooms.
The device amplifies sound to a level perceivable by people who are not normal-hearing.