To browse the glossary simply select a letter from our alphabetical list. Our catalogue of Audiology and Hearing Glossary terms starting with that letter will be displayed. Proceed to select a hearing term for its definition.
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A B C D E H I L M N O P S T V
A
Assistive Devices
Tools and devices such as alarms, alerting devices, or FM systems used to help people hear to perform daily actions, tasks, and activities. Learn more about assistive listening devices.
Audiogram
An audiogram is a standard way of representing a person's hearing loss. Most audiograms cover the limited range 100Hz to 8000Hz (8 kHz) which is most important for clear understanding of speech, and they plot the threshold of hearing relative to a standardised curve that represents 'normal' hearing.
Audiologist
A hearing healthcare professional who has earned a Masters Degree (M.S. or M.A.) or Doctorate Degree (Au.D. or Ph.D.) in audiology or a related field of study. Audiologists are trained to evaluate hearing loss and related disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorders and tinnitus, and to rehabilitate people with hearing loss and related disorders. Audiologists use a variety of tests and procedures to assess hearing and balance function and to fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing loss. Most audiologists have advanced doctorate degrees. See also: Audiologist in Akron, Ohio
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test
A test used to check the hearing of infants and young children, or to test the functioning of the hearing nerve. This painless procedure involves attaching recording disks to the head to record electrical activity from the hearing nerve and brain stem.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Inability of an individual with normal hearing and intelligence to differentiate, recognize, or understand sounds normally.
Autoimmune Hearing Loss
Hearing loss when one's immune system produces abnormal antibodies that react against the body's healthy tissues. May be associated with tissue-causing disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
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B
Balance
A biological system that enables individuals to know where their bodies are in the environment and to maintain a desired position. Normal balance depends on information from the labyrinth in the inner ear, from other senses such as sight and touch, and from muscle movement.
Balance Disorder
Disruption in the labyrinth, the inner ear organ that controls the balance system, which allows individuals to know where their bodies are in the environment. The labyrinth works with other systems in the body, such as the visual and skeletal systems, to maintain posture.
Barotrauma
Injury to the middle ear caused by a rapid change of air or water pressure.
Bluetooth Technology
Bluetooth, What is it? Bluetooth is a wireless technology which allows electronic devices to connect securely and talk to each other over a typical maximum range of 30 feet. Initially, the two devices wishing to communicate with each other are 'paired'. This creates a secure radio link between the devices which is encrypted and prevents un-paired devices from interfering or intercepting the data being transmitted between the devices.
There are many uses for Bluetooth, but for use with hearing aids, the most important uses are:
- Connecting a Bluetooth enabled cell phone or home phone to your hearing aids
- Connecting the audio from the TV, radio, Ipod, or any other audio device to your hearing aids
These connections are all wireless and hands free.
To enable Bluetooth communication with your hearing aids, they need to have the wireless capabilities built into them. These features cannot be added to your hearing aids afterwards. Typically your higher end aids have these although they are becoming available in some mid priced models too now.
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C
Captioning
Text display of spoken words, presented on a television or a movie screen, that allows deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers to follow the dialogue and the action of a program simultaneously.
Cerumen (Ear Wax)
Yellow secretion from glands in the outer ear canal that keeps the skin of the ear canal dry and protected from infection. See Also: Ear Wax Removal
Cholesteatoma
An abnormal accumulation and pocketing of dead cells in the eardrum, which can often be surgically repaired.
Cochlea
Snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains the organ of hearing.
Cochlear Implant
Medical device that bypasses damaged structures in the inner ear and indirectly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing some deaf and hard of hearing individuals to learn to hear and interpret sounds and speech. Learn more about cochlear implants.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is due to any condition that interferes with the transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be successfully treated in most cases.
Modern techniques make it possible to cure or at least improve the vast majority of cases involving problems with the outer or middle ear. Even if people with conductive hearing loss are not improved medically or surgically, they stand to benefit greatly from a hearing aid, because what they need most is amplification.
Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid
A hearing aid that is designed so that most of the electronics are located in the ear canal. The smallest style of hearing aid currently available.
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D
Decibel (dB)
A decibel, or its abbreviation dB is a measurement of loudness that ranges from the threshold of hearing, 0dB to the threshold of pain, about 140dB. The term decibel is actually two words: deci, meaning one-tenth, and bel, named after Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, which is why the 'B' is always written in upper case as in dB. So, a decibel is actually one-tenth of a unit of sound measurement known as a bel.
To put Decibel in context, the volume of normal conversation is about 60dB and the roar of a jet engine is at least 120dB.
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E
Eardrum
The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a thin, semi-transparent membranous wall that stretches across the ear canal and separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The side that faces outward into the ear canal is covered with skin and the inside is covered with mucous membrane. The eardrum vibrates when sound waves travel into the ear canal and strike it. One of the bones of the middle ear (the malleus) attaches to the center of the membrane and receives vibrations, transmitting them to other bones (the incus and stapes) and the inner ear fluid, and finally to nerves in the brain where sound is perceived.
Ear Wax (Cerumen)
Yellow secretion from glands in the outer ear canal that keeps the skin of the ear canal dry and protected from infection. See Also: Ear Wax Removal
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H
Hearing Aid
A battery-powered electronic device that brings amplified sound to the ear. A hearing aid usually consists of a microphone, amplifier, and receiver. Learn more about hearing aids.
Hearing Loss
Disruption in the normal hearing process that may occur in either the outer, middle, or inner ear, whereby sound waves are not conducted to the inner ear, converted to electrical signals and/or nerve impulses are not transmitted to the brain to be interpreted as sound.
See also: How to Recognize Hearing Loss
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I
In-The-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aid
Smaller than an ITE hearing aid, it usually fills up a portion of the ear canal and a small portion of the outer ear. A mini-canal attempts to make the hearing aid even smaller by using a smaller battery.
In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Ai
A style of hearing aid in which all the parts of the hearing aid are fit into the concha or bowl area of the pinna and the ear canal. In-the-ear hearing aids typically serve clients with mild hearing losses. President Ronald Reagan boosted acceptance and use of hearing aids by being fitted for an in-the-ear hearing aid and wearing it regularly when he was president.
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L
Labyrinth
Organ of balance located in the inner ear. The labyrinth consists of three semicircular canals and the vestibule.
Labyrinthitis
Viral or bacterial infection or inflammation of the inner ear that can cause dizziness, loss of balance, and temporary hearing loss.
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M
Mastoid
The mastoid bone is located behind the ear (felt as a hard bump behind the ear). Inside it looks like a honeycomb, with the spaces filled with air. These air cells are connected to the middle ear through an air filled cavity called the mastoid antrum.
Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aids can be beneficial for persons with a mixed hearing loss, but caution should be exercised.
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N
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Hearing loss caused by exposure to very loud sounds, either very loud impulse sound(s) or repeated exposure to sounds over 90-decibel level over an extended period of time that damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear.
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O
Occlusion
The occlusion effect occurs when a hearing aid completely fills the outer part of the ear canal. It can cause the wearer’s voice to sound funny. Many people complain that they sound hollow or it’s like they are talking into a barrel. Chewing food can also sound odd, and even cause discomfort, to someone with occluded canals.
Normally when people talk or chew, the produced sound vibrations escape through the unblocked ear and little is heard. But when the ear is blocked by a hearing aid, the vibrations cannot escape and are instead bounced back down to the eardrum, which produces the louder hollow sound.
Open Fit hearing aids are an answer to this problem as they do not occlude the canal. The in ear section of the aid is not molded to fit tightly in the way that other types of hearing aids are.
If you think you are suffering from the occlusion effect, make an appointment with our Audiologist. Depending on the type of hearing aid you have, we may be able to open up the vent to reduce the problem.
** Note **
The occlusion sensation can also be a result from blockage of the ear canal with cerumen (ear wax) or a foreign body.
On-The-Ear (OTE) Or Open Ear Hearing Aid
A more recently developed style of a BTE hearing aid that utilizes a thinner tubing and a placement of the electronics lower down behind the ear for better cosmetic appeal with less occlusion.
Otologist
A medical doctors who has undergone extensive post medical school study and training to specialize in diagnosis, treatment and surgery of the human ear.
Otosclerosis
Abnormal growth of bone around the ossicles and the inner ear. This bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly and causes hearing loss. For some people with otosclerosis, the hearing loss may become severe, but often the hearing can be improved by surgery or hearing aids.
Otoscope
A magnifying and lighting tool utilized by health care workers to look into the ear canal.
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P
Presbycusis
Loss of hearing that gradually occurs because of changes in the inner or middle ear in individuals as they grow older. The type of hearing loss often associated with presbycusis is a sensorineural hearing loss.
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S
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Hearing loss caused by damage to the sensory cells and/or nerve fibers of the inner ear. The most common type of hearing loss in adulthood.
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T
Tinnitus
According to the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA), Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, has been experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. ASHA defines it as: “the perception of sound in the head when no external sound is present”. In addition to “ringing”, head noises have been described as hissing, roaring, pulsing, whooshing, chirping, whistling and clicking. The ringing or other sounds can be perceived in one or both ears, as occurring inside or outside the ear.
ASHA recommends having an exam with special attention to checking factors associated with Tinnitus like stress, fibromyalgia, medications, diet and allergies and problems with the auditory system such as ear wax, ear infection or noise induced hearing loss.
Other causes of Tinnitus can be dental in origin such as tempromandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ. Diet can also increase the level or intensity of the sound. Things that are reported to be problematic for people with Tinnitus are: caffeinated beverages, chocolate, salt, spicy food, MSG, alcohol and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
It is important to see an Audiologist to determine if hearing loss is also present with the Tinnitus.
See also: Tinnitus Treatment and Management
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V
Vent
An optional small opening or tunnel in a hearing aid shell or earmold running from the outside portion to tip end. The purposes of venting may include to provide comfort (pressure relief / fresh air exchange) into the ear canal, lessen occlusion or to manipulate hearing aid performance by allowing certain sounds to pass through or out of the vent.
Vertigo
Vertigo refers to a very distinct sensation that is similar to the feeling of spinning or motion that leads to dizziness. Vertigo is not lightheadedness or the dizziness associated with low blood pressure. Vertigo is more about the sensation of moving while the body is standing still.
People with vertigo may feel as though they are moving or spinning, or that the environment is actually moving or spinning, and this sensation leads to dizziness. When there is a problem within the inner ear, or the vestibular which connects the part of the inner ear that controls balance to the brainstem, it is called peripheral vertigo.
See also: Vestibular, Balance and Vertigo
Vestibular
The medical term for all of the parts of the inner ear involved with balance is the Vestibular System.
See also: Vestibular, Balance and Vertigo
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