acute hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a very sensitive or sharp sense of hearing. Example: "The dog was known for its acute hearing, able to detect sounds from miles away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Her acute hearing picked up the sound of his hairy hand palpating his chin.

The New Yorker

His work demands extraordinarily acute hearing and he is guided by nothing but memory.

The New Yorker

He exchanged bird studies, conducted at a distance and requiring acute hearing, for entomology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Why then, I wondered, aren't woodpeckers driven to insane distraction by their acute hearing?

The New York Times

Those with acute hearing recognize in that a polite follow up question.

The New York Times - Books

We have all heard of blind people with unusually acute hearing, but other senses may be heightened, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Other fellow travellers in the rebel world include Baze Malbus, played by Jiang Wen, and Chirrut Imwe, played by Donnie Yen, who brings a martial artist's poise to this blind figure who uses his hyper-acute hearing and sense of the Force to negotiate his way around.

The Guardian - Film

Sea lions have fairly acute underwater hearing, with a hearing range of 0.4 32 kHz.

Wikipedia

She has suffered acute, progressive hearing loss, which makes her increasingly uncomfortable in large groups, though her response to her disability has been typically pragmatic.

The Guardian - Books

a-e Patient 1 developed acute, severe hearing loss while suffering from meningitis.

Insights into Imaging

Conclusions: An objective search for etiological bases should be conducted in any case of acute sensorineural hearing loss.

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing animals or characters with enhanced senses, use "acute hearing" to vividly portray their heightened awareness of their surroundings.

Common error

Avoid using "acute hearing" when you actually mean selective hearing. "Acute hearing" refers to a genuine, heightened sensitivity to sound, whereas selective hearing implies the ability to intentionally ignore certain sounds, like a child who only "hears" the ice cream truck.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute hearing" functions as an adjective-noun compound that modifies a subject by attributing to it a heightened ability to perceive sound. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase is used to describe both humans and animals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acute hearing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a heightened sense of hearing. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and demonstrates its use across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase is particularly useful for vividly portraying characters or animals with a heightened awareness of their auditory surroundings. Remember to differentiate between "acute hearing" and selective hearing, as the former refers to a genuine sensitivity to sound, while the latter implies intentional filtering. Consider using alternatives like "sharp hearing" or "keen hearing" for variety. As Ludwig shows, "acute hearing" effectively conveys an enhanced ability to perceive sound, making it a valuable addition to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp hearing

Replaces "acute" with "sharp", maintaining the meaning of heightened auditory perception.

keen hearing

Uses "keen" as a synonym for "acute", indicating a highly developed sense of hearing.

sensitive hearing

Emphasizes the ability to detect subtle sounds, similar to having "acute hearing".

heightened auditory sense

Rephrases the concept, focusing on the enhanced nature of the auditory sense.

excellent auditory perception

Focuses on the quality of perceiving sounds, conveying a similar meaning to "acute hearing".

exceptional hearing ability

Highlights the ability aspect of hearing, emphasizing its superior quality.

remarkable auditory acuity

Replaces "hearing" with "auditory acuity", adding a slightly more formal tone.

superior sense of hearing

Emphasizes that the sense of hearing is above average.

highly developed hearing

Focuses on the development of the sense, implying a greater sensitivity.

attentive listening skills

Shifts the focus slightly towards the active process of listening, implying a capability to notice things because of good hearing.

FAQs

How can I describe "acute hearing" in simpler terms?

You can use phrases like "sharp hearing", "keen hearing", or "sensitive hearing" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "acute hearing" and normal hearing?

"Acute hearing" refers to a heightened or exceptionally sensitive sense of hearing, while normal hearing is the typical range of auditory perception for most individuals.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "acute hearing"?

It's appropriate to use "acute hearing" when describing someone or something that has a particularly sensitive or well-developed sense of hearing, such as animals that rely on sound for hunting or navigation.

Are there any medical conditions that can cause "acute hearing"?

While not a medical condition in itself, heightened auditory perception can sometimes occur as a compensatory mechanism in individuals with other sensory impairments. For example, people who go blind are said to have more "acute hearing".