Stone-deaf

Stone-deaf describes a person who is completely or profoundly deaf; unable to hear any sounds. The term emphasizes the severity of the hearing loss, portraying an inability to perceive even loud noises or vibrations.

It is a colloquial and somewhat informal expression, often used to highlight the lack of response to auditory stimuli or the difficulty in communication due to hearing impairment.

This condition can be caused by various factors, including genetic predispositions, infections, injuries, or prolonged exposure to loud noise.

The impact extends beyond communication, influencing the ability to experience music, enjoy social interactions, and navigate the environment safely.

Stone-deaf meaning with examples

• Despite shouting at the top of my lungs, Grandma remained stone-deaf to my pleas for her to try the delicious pie I had baked, due to her severe hearing loss.
• The old musician, now stone-deaf, could still 'feel' the music through the vibrations, continuing to compose despite being unable to hear any notes.
• After the explosion, the construction worker was rendered stone-deaf, making his return to work on the active site dangerous.
• Her stone-deafness became evident when she didn’t respond to the fire alarm, prompting her family to install flashing lights.
• He pretended to be stone-deaf when the boss started asking about the missing inventory at the warehouse.