unaided

Unaided is an adjective meaning not assisted or not helped by others or by devices. It describes actions, abilities, or measurements performed without external support. The term comes from the prefix un- combined with aided, and it is used across different domains to indicate independence or lack of external help. In each context, unaided specifies what is not being used rather than what is being done.

In vision and optics, unaided vision denotes natural sight without corrective lenses or surgical implants. Clinically, visual acuity can be assessed with or without aids to gauge functional vision; unaided vision is often contrasted with aided vision, which involves glasses, contact lenses, or implants.

In audiology, unaided hearing refers to natural auditory perception without hearing aids or other assistive devices. Assessments may compare unaided and aided conditions to determine the benefit of devices for speech understanding and overall hearing performance.

In psychology and education, unaided memory or unaided recall describes retrieving information without prompts or cues. This is contrasted with cued or aided recall, where hints or assistance are provided to facilitate retrieval.

Unaided can also describe performance of tasks without external assistance in general contexts, including daily activities or physical tasks. Because the meaning varies by field, clarifying the scope of “unaided”—whether it concerns perception, memory, or action—is important for accurate interpretation.