ordinary hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a typical or standard level of auditory perception or a common type of hearing ability. Example: "The doctor explained that the patient had ordinary hearing and did not require any special treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The bit rate for iTunes, 128, is so low that when played side by side against the original, the difference is audible not only to audio enthusiasts, but also to mortals with ordinary hearing.

The New York Times

Experiencing a missile-like sound speeding towards your ears illustrates the contrast with ordinary hearing (O'Callaghan 2007, 35).

SEP

If this study leads to a better understanding of the amazing yet ordinary hearing abilities within everyone, this may help blind people to make the most of their hearing.

BBC

The ordinary hearing aid is over the ears - 90% of all the hearing problems take that device - but my kind of hearing problem is different".

Huffington Post

Lindsey Dryden, director of the film and obsessive music listener, asked visitors on her website to name three songs they would spin if they only had a few minutes of ordinary hearing left, dubbing it "The Panic List".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Those intuitions rightly represent the fact that there is a difference in the information an ordinary hearer will take from a typical utterance of (4) as opposed to a typical utterance of (1), but they are wrongly taken to show that (1) and (4) themselves thus differ in truth-value.

SEP

The meeting had all the hallmarks of an ordinary Congressional hearing.

The New York Times

Any ordinary person hearing of the unpublishable facts about a convicted News of the World private investigator facing conspiracy to murder charges would have recognised the need to investigate the claims.

The New York Times

I wanted to be a radical lesbian with a message; I wanted to be an ordinary lesbian hearing these radical messages.

Huffington Post

Ordinary head, hearing and eye protection should be adequate protection or as recommended by equipment manufactures, when sawing lumber, poles, limbs and/or driving nails.

WikiHow

By the time ordinary investors hear the bad news, the stock price has already sunk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing audio quality or hearing tests, specify "ordinary hearing" to clearly differentiate from specialized or impaired hearing abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinary hearing" when "normal hearing" is more appropriate in clinical contexts. "Normal hearing" is the standard term in audiology and medicine, while "ordinary hearing" is a more general term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary hearing" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It is used to characterize a typical or common level of auditory ability, as shown in Ludwig examples. This contrasts with impaired or specialized hearing capabilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinary hearing" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, referring to a typical or standard level of auditory perception. According to Ludwig, its usage is relatively rare but consistent. While the term is found in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts, it's essential to distinguish it from "normal hearing", which is more commonly used in clinical settings. When writing, consider using "ordinary hearing" to differentiate from specialized or impaired hearing abilities, and be mindful of the neutral register that the term generally conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical hearing ability

Focuses on ability, implying a degree of functional capacity rather than just the state of hearing.

normal hearing range

Specifies the range within which hearing is considered normal, adding a quantitative dimension.

standard auditory perception

Uses more technical terms to describe the same concept, suitable for formal contexts.

average hearing capacity

Highlights the average level of hearing ability, useful when comparing with impaired hearing.

conventional hearing

Emphasizes the conventional or accepted standard of hearing, contrasting with unconventional forms.

regular hearing

Simple and direct, but less specific about the degree or quality of hearing.

unimpaired hearing

Focuses on the absence of impairment, useful when discussing hearing health.

healthy hearing

Highlights the health aspect of hearing, suitable in health-related discussions.

undiminished hearing

Implies that hearing has remained at its original level, often used when discussing age or health.

natural hearing

Stresses that the hearing is natural and not aided by devices or interventions.

FAQs

What does "ordinary hearing" mean?

The term "ordinary hearing" refers to the typical or standard level of auditory perception in individuals without hearing impairments. It describes the hearing ability that is considered common or average.

When is it appropriate to use "ordinary hearing" in a sentence?

Use "ordinary hearing" when comparing it to specialized or impaired hearing. For example, "The bit rate for iTunes, 128, is so low that the difference is audible not only to audio enthusiasts, but also to mortals with "ordinary hearing"".

Are there alternatives to the phrase "ordinary hearing"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "normal hearing", "typical hearing ability", or "standard auditory perception", depending on the context.

How does "ordinary hearing" differ from "normal hearing"?

"Normal hearing" is generally used in medical or audiological contexts to describe hearing within the statistically expected range. "Ordinary hearing" is a broader term that can refer to everyday listening experiences without specific reference to clinical norms.