deafen

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛf(ə)n/

verb

[with object]
  • cause (someone) to lose the power of hearing permanently or temporarily: we were deafened by the explosion
  • (of a loud noise) overwhelm (someone) with sound: he was deafened by lorry traffic
  • (deafen someone to) cause someone to be unaware of (other sounds): the noise deafened him to Ron’s approach