make soundproof; "deafen a room" make or render deaf; "a deafening noise" be unbearably loud; "a deafening noise
If you are deafened by something, you are made deaf by it, or are unable to hear for some time. He was deafened by the noise from the gun. see also deafening
emphasis If you say there was a deafening silence, you are emphasizing that there was no reaction or response to something that was said or done. When we ask people for suggestions we get a deafening silence