Hearing Is Not Listening, and a Hearing Is Not a Trial
Hearing is the sense that detects sound. It is also a formal session where a case is heard, which is where the legal meaning comes from.
Hearing is the sense that detects sound, and it is passive: you hear whatever reaches your ears. Listening is the active version. The legal sense keeps the original meaning literally — a hearing is an occasion when someone is *heard*, which is why the phrase *a fair hearing* means being allowed to speak.
- The sense of detecting sound. *Her hearing is excellent.*
- A formal session. *A disciplinary hearing.*
- A chance to be listened to. *He deserves a fair hearing.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | hearing | Poor hearing. |
| Verb | hear | Can you hear me? |
| Past | heard | I heard it. |
| Adjective | hard of hearing | She is hard of hearing. |
| Compound | hearing aid | A new hearing aid. |
How it is used in a sentence
- His hearing was damaged by years on the shop floor.Uncountable, about the sense.
- The hearing is set for Tuesday.Countable, about the session.
- Say it within her hearing.Meaning close enough to be heard.
Hearing words
- Hard of hearing — reduced hearing; widely accepted
- Deaf — with little or no hearing; capital D for the cultural community
- Tinnitus — perceived sound with no external source
- Audiologist — the specialist who tests hearing
- Decibel — the unit sound is measured in
From Old English *hieran*, to hear. The legal sense is medieval, from the practice of a judge or lord hearing a complaint in person.
Hearing or listening?
Hearing happens whether you want it or not; listening takes attention. You can hear a conversation without listening to it.
Is a hearing the same as a trial?
No. A hearing is any session where evidence or argument is heard, including short procedural ones. A trial is a full hearing of a case.