Cortical deafness refers to a type of hearing loss where the brain is unable to interpret sounds correctly, even if the ears are functioning properly. Some synonyms for cortical deafness include auditory agnosia, pure word deafness, and receptive aphasia. Auditory agnosia is the inability to recognize and identify sounds, while pure word deafness is the inability to recognize speech. Receptive aphasia is a condition where the person is unable to understand or process language even though they can hear it. Regardless of the term used, cortical deafness can have a significant impact on a person's ability to communicate and navigate their environment.