dëgjimit

Dëgjimi is the Albanian term for the sense of hearing as well as the act of listening. In everyday language, it can denote the ability to perceive sounds or the act of attending to someone speaking. The definite form dëgjimit is used when referring to a specific hearing or to the general concept of hearing in a broader sense, as in expressions like “dëgjimi i të tjerëve” or “dëgjimi i tingujve.”

Etymology and form: dëgjimi derives from the verb dëgjoj, meaning to hear or listen. The noun is formed to indicate the process or the event of hearing, with the definite form commonly appearing in neutral or formal contexts. The word is used across medical, linguistic, and legal registers in Albanian.

Physiology: Hearing begins with the outer ear capturing sound waves and directing them through the ear canal to the eardrum. The middle ear amplifies vibrations via the ossicles, while the inner ear converts mechanical energy into neural signals in the cochlea. These signals are transmitted by the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. Hearing development occurs in infancy and can be affected by age, noise exposure, infections, and genetic factors.

Contexts and usage: In addition to its sensory meaning, dëgjimi appears in legal and administrative language as “dëgjimi,” meaning a formal hearing or proceeding, such as a public hearing or a court hearing, where evidence and testimonies are presented. The term also appears in medical discussions of hearing loss, deafness, and audiology.

Health and protection: Protective measures against noise-induced hearing loss include limiting exposure to loud environments, using hearing protection, and regular hearing assessments, especially for individuals in noisy occupations or with a family history of hearing impairment.