Definition: The term "preauditory" is a medical condition that refers to the difficulty in hearing sounds, especially when they are not present or are perceived as coming from far away. This can occur before hearing loss and can be caused by various factors such as exposure to loud noises, certain medications, or genetic predisposition. The symptoms of preauricular deafness may include hearing difficulty, including hearing loss, sensitivity to sound, and a lack of hearing in certain areas of the ear.