Which suffix refers to "hearing"?

• A. -cusis
• B. -pathy
• C. -osis
• D. -itis

Answer: (A)

The suffix that refers to "hearing" is indeed -cusis. This suffix is derived from the Greek word "akousis," which means hearing. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe various conditions related to the auditory system. For instance, terms like "presbycusis" refer to the hearing loss associated with aging, highlighting how this suffix effectively conveys its connection to auditory functions.

The other suffixes mentioned serve different purposes in medical terminology. For example, -pathy indicates a disease or disorder, -osis refers to a condition or abnormal state often related to disease, and -itis denotes inflammation. Thus, when the focus is specifically on hearing, -cusis is the appropriate suffix to indicate that specific auditory relationship.