audífonos
/auˈdifonos/
The English phrase 'hearing aids' is translated into Spanish as audífonos.
The term refers to small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear to assist people with hearing loss.
What does it mean word for word?
The word audífonos is composed of the root audí-, which is related to hearing and the suffix -fonos, which is related to sound.
Which one should you use?
In many Latin American countries, audífonos is also the common word for headphones. This can lead to ambiguity depending on context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the formal term prótesis para el oído is also used to refer to hearing aids.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a single device, use the singular form audífono.
How do you pronounce it?
/auˈdifonos/
Did you know?
- In Spain, using audífonos to mean 'headphones' is rare. A Spaniard will almost always use auriculares for music and audífonos exclusively for medical hearing aids.
- The root -fonos comes from the Greek word for 'sound' or 'voice'. This makes audífono a linguistic cousin to English words like 'telephone' and 'megaphone'.
- The Spanish word audición describes both the biological sense of hearing and a performer's 'audition'.
Examples in context
- Perdona, ¿sabes dónde puedo encontrar un lugar para reparar mis audífonos?Excuse me, do you know where I can find a place to repair my hearing aids?
- Mis audífonos son nuevos.My hearing aids are new.
- ¿Dónde dejaste tus audífonos?Where did you leave your hearing aids?
- Necesito limpiar mis audífonos hoy.I need to clean my hearing aids today.
Example conversation
At a pharmacy, Daniel is helping Lucía find her lost device.
- LucíaDaniel, no encuentro mis audífonos.Daniel, I can't find my hearing aids.
- DanielNo te preocupes, Lucía, los buscaremos.Don't worry, Lucía, we will look for them.
- LucíaEspero que no estén en el coche.I hope they are not in the car.
- DanielMira, están sobre la mesa.Look, they are on the table.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry audífonos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
