otophone

A doctor uses an otophone to listen to a patient's heartbeat.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hearing aid: "otophone" refers to a device used to assist hearing, typically an ear trumpet or an early type of hearing aid designed for individuals with hearing loss.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The elderly man used an otophone to better hear conversations in the noisy room. (A hearing aid device for those with impaired hearing.)
  • In the 19th century, the otophone was a common tool for the hard of hearing. (An early hearing aid.)

Advanced Usage

• "otophone" in medical contexts: The term is derived from Greek roots ("oto-" meaning ear and "-phone" meaning sound), and it is sometimes used in historical or technical discussions of audiology.
  • The audiologist demonstrated how the otophone amplified sound for the patient. (A device that increases sound volume for hearing assistance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Otology (n): the branch of medicine dealing with the ear and its diseases.
  • She specialized in otology and treated many patients with hearing disorders. (Medical study of the ear.)
• Otoscope (n): an instrument used to examine the ear.
  • The doctor used an otoscope to check for an ear infection. (Ear examination tool.)

Synonyms

• Hearing aid: a device that amplifies sound for people with hearing loss.
• Ear trumpet: a conical device used historically to direct sound into the ear.

Related Idioms

• None directly associated with "otophone," as it is a technical term.
• Lend an ear: to listen carefully (not specific to the device but related to hearing).
  • Please lend an ear to his story. (Listen attentively.)