I'm doing an essay and I need to describe witnesses who only heard something. So sort of like: there are eye-witnesses, are there ear-witnesses?
It's about the Kitty Genovese case and many studies say '38 witnesses' and as a result the facts have been skewed to say '38 people saw it'
Several other sources I've found state that 38 of her neighbours heard the attack, but only a few actually saw it. I want to differentiate between the two without the writing sounding awkward and clumsy.

If anyone can help before tomorrow, it would be great!
Thanks

From a quick google search it seems that 'ear-witness' is an actual term but it doesn't appear to be in such common use. Perhaps you could mention it and then give a brief description so it doesn't sound like you made it up.

here is just one page i came across
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Ear-witness

Hoping someone can help you a bit better than me!

Thanks Copago, I'll take a risk and use it, and hope that my psychology teacher will be nice.

While I'm at it, anyone know if there is a word for a sort of potential assisted person?

So a person who may or may not be assisted in the future.

I hate enligsh...

The lioness33 - In 1993 there was a shooting outside my house. I heard all 3 gunshots and also timed the gap between each shot. When I was called to testify I was listed as a "sound witness". I had remained in bed listening till the police arrived I had there fore seen nothing but my testimony on all the sounds I heard form the gun shots to the three different voices I heard was considered credible evidence.

If it's not too late, I'd advise not trying to find just one word to say what you want, but using a lot more - possibly even a couple of sentences. Most of the really awkward writing I find in editing is from those who are trying to say something in one short sentence when it really needs two - one clarifying what you are talking about, and the other actually saying what you mean to say.

Of course I can't come up with an example now - my mind is a blank.

Thanks for your help agony and LA, I ended up saying 'individual needing help'