'aurally' originates from the English adjective 'aural', which ultimately comes from Latin, specifically the word 'auris', where 'aur-' meant 'ear'.

'aural' entered English via Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'auralis' (meaning 'of the ear'), and the adverb 'aurally' was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'aural'.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to the ear' (physical relation to the ear); over time it came to be used as 'by means of hearing' or 'in a manner perceived by the ear'.