hyperaudism
An extreme or obsessive form of audism characterized by a deep-seated bias in favor of hearing and auditory perception. It manifests as a systemic or individual belief that hearing is the superior or only legitimate way to experience and communicate with the world, often marginalizing deaf or hard-of-hearing perspectives.
Examples
3 of 5The school's hyperaudism meant they ignored the benefits of visual learning for all students.
The school's extreme bias toward hearing meant they ignored the benefits of visual learning for all students.
Institutional hyperaudism in the legal system often results in inadequate accessibility for non-hearing participants.
Deeply ingrained hearing-centric prejudice in the legal system often results in poor access for non-hearing participants.
His hyperaudism is so intense he doesn't even consider sign language a real language.
His extreme hearing-centric view is so strong he doesn't consider sign language to be a legitimate language.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Break it down: HYPER (extreme) + AUD (audio/hearing) + ISM (belief system). It is the 'extreme belief' that hearing is the only way to be.
Quick Quiz
The assumption that a child must learn to speak before they can be considered 'educated' is a clear example of ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Examples
The school's hyperaudism meant they ignored the benefits of visual learning for all students.
everydayThe school's extreme bias toward hearing meant they ignored the benefits of visual learning for all students.
Institutional hyperaudism in the legal system often results in inadequate accessibility for non-hearing participants.
formalDeeply ingrained hearing-centric prejudice in the legal system often results in poor access for non-hearing participants.
His hyperaudism is so intense he doesn't even consider sign language a real language.
informalHis extreme hearing-centric view is so strong he doesn't consider sign language to be a legitimate language.
The paper argues that hyperaudism is a byproduct of phonocentric philosophies that date back to the Enlightenment.
academicThe academic article claims that extreme hearing bias stems from sound-centered philosophies from the Enlightenment period.
Addressing hyperaudism in the workplace requires a shift from spoken-only communication to multi-modal interfaces.
businessFixing hearing-centric bias in the office requires moving from only speaking to using multiple ways of communicating.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
the lens of hyperaudism
viewing the world through a strictly hearing-centric perspective
challenged by hyperaudism
struggling against societal hearing bias
manifestation of hyperaudism
a visible example of extreme hearing prejudice
Often Confused With
Hyperacusis is a physical medical condition of over-sensitivity to sound frequencies, whereas hyperaudism is a social/ideological bias.
Usage Notes
Use this word primarily in academic or social justice contexts when discussing disability studies, Deaf culture, or linguistics. It is a more intense term than 'audism' and implies a structural or obsessive fixation on hearing as a requirement for normalcy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistake this for a medical term related to ear health; remember it describes an 'ism' (a belief system or prejudice).
Memory Tip
Break it down: HYPER (extreme) + AUD (audio/hearing) + ISM (belief system). It is the 'extreme belief' that hearing is the only way to be.
Word Origin
A modern construction combining the Greek 'hyper' (over, beyond) with the term 'audism' (coined by Tom Humphries in 1975 from the Latin 'audire', to hear).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term is central to the 'Deaf Gain' movement, which seeks to flip the narrative from hearing loss to the unique cultural and cognitive benefits of being deaf.
Quick Quiz
The assumption that a child must learn to speak before they can be considered 'educated' is a clear example of ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Related Words
pale
A1Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.
lung
A1The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.
tropical
A1Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.
trader
A1A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.
indoor
A1Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.
threshold
A1A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.
tribute
A1A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.
elder
A1Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.
russian
A1Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.
southeastern
A1Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free