What is the psychological term for the sense or act of hearing?

The term that describes the sense or act of hearing is termed "audition." This concept encompasses the physiological and psychological processes involved in perceiving sound, which includes the detection of vibrations in the air, their interpretation in the brain, and the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds. Audition is a key sensory modality, enabling communication, appreciation of music, and awareness of environmental sounds, all of which are vital to interacting with the world.

In the context of the other options, they refer to different senses: vision relates to sight, olfaction refers to the sense of smell, and tactile perception pertains to the sense of touch. Each of these senses plays a distinct role in human perception and behavior. Understanding audition allows for deeper insight into how we process auditory information and its importance in cognitive and social functioning.