struggle to hear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struggle to hear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing difficulty in hearing sounds or understanding spoken words, often in contexts related to communication or auditory challenges. Example: "During the lecture, I had to struggle to hear the speaker over the noise of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Unlike our ancestors, we struggle to hear the stones speak.

The Guardian - Opinion

I struggle to hear the sweet nothings someone is whispering in my ear.

Independent

Like others, I struggle to hear it as anything but "stock".

The Guardian - Opinion

That would be a useful message for politicians, but they may struggle to hear it above the din.

The Economist

I decide I'd rather have an audio guide – like the ones at the National Gallery – than struggle to hear my accented waiter recite the dishes.

Independent

One workshop held with elderly residents tried to identify possible ways to support patients with partial hearing loss who struggle to hear their GP.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

At times, especially when struggling to hear questions, he looked all of his 80 years.

The Economist

I'm struggling to hear what the band's playing cos I'm hearing the audience".

The Guardian - Music

What they say is difficult to make out and everyone struggles to hear.

The Guardian

His voice was soft, and I struggled to hear his words.

The New Yorker

In a quiet space it works fine, but everyone can hear your conversation, outside I struggled to hear my caller.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inability to hear clearly, consider the context. Use "struggle to hear" when the person is making an effort, or when there are external impediments. If it is a permanent condition, it is better to consider "hard of hearing".

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to hear" as a substitute for conditions like "being hard of hearing" or "experiencing hearing loss". "Struggle to hear" implies a temporary difficulty, not a chronic condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to hear" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an effort or difficulty in perceiving sounds. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase describes the action of attempting to discern auditory information, even when faced with challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struggle to hear" is a commonly used phrase to describe a temporary difficulty in perceiving sounds. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to distinguish its meaning from permanent hearing impairments. Consider alternatives such as "have difficulty hearing" or "strain to hear" for nuanced expression. The phrase's prevalence in news media highlights its relevance in describing real-world communication challenges, while its presence in formal business contexts underscores its applicability in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have difficulty hearing

Focuses on the general difficulty in perceiving sound.

find it hard to hear

Emphasizes the effort required to perceive sound.

strain to hear

Highlights the act of making an effort to perceive faint or distant sounds.

have trouble hearing

Similar to "have difficulty hearing" but slightly more informal.

find it challenging to hear

Highlights the difficulty as a challenge.

can't make out

Implies an inability to distinguish or understand sounds.

barely hear

Suggests that the sound is only just audible.

be hard of hearing

Indicates a permanent or long-term hearing impairment.

have impaired hearing

Focuses on the state of reduced hearing ability.

experience hearing loss

Emphasizes the process of losing hearing ability.

FAQs

What does "struggle to hear" mean?

The phrase "struggle to hear" describes a situation where someone experiences difficulty in perceiving or understanding sounds, often due to external noise, distance, or a mild hearing impairment.

What can I say instead of "struggle to hear"?

You can use alternatives like "have difficulty hearing", "find it hard to hear", or "strain to hear" depending on the specific context.

How to use "struggle to hear" in a sentence?

Example: "During the noisy conference, I had to struggle to hear the speaker over the chatter."

What's the difference between "struggle to hear" and "be hard of hearing"?

"Struggle to hear" refers to a temporary difficulty in hearing, while "be hard of hearing" indicates a more permanent or long-term hearing impairment.