expression, i-adjective
deaf; cannot hear
Describes a permanent or temporary inability to hear. Often used as a set phrase rather than a literal decomposition.
彼は生まれつき耳が聞こえない。
He has been deaf since birth.
大きな音で耳が聞こえなくなった。
I lost my hearing because of a loud noise.
A transparent phrase composed of 耳 (ear) + が (subject marker) + 聞こえない (negative potential form of 聞こえる 'to be audible').