Glossary

Audiogram: Hearing test which measures and records how well sounds at various frequencies are heard.
Audiologist: Trained health care professional specializing in hearing loss and related disorders.

Auditory Deprivation
Absence or restriction of auditory stimuli to which the individual responds.

Audiology: The study of hearing, including the therapy of individuals suffering from hearing loss.
Auricle: See “Pinna”.
Bass: Sound produced in the low pitch range.
Behind The Ear (BTE): Style of hearing aid designed to fit behind one’s ear.
Binaural: Of or relating to two ears.
BTE: See “Behind The Ear”.
Cerumen: See “Ear Wax”.
CIC: See “Completely In The Canal”.
Cochlea: Coiled, snail-like tube containing the auditory elements of the inner ear.
Compression: Methodology where loud sounds are decreased and soft sounds are increased.
Conductive Hearing Loss: Hearing loss due to abnormal conditions of the outer and/or middle ear. May be temporary or permanent.
dB: See “Decibel”.
Decibel (dB): Scale based unit measuring loudness.
Ear: Organ related to hearing and equilibrium. Contains three main parts: outer, middle, inner.
Ear Canal: Tube leading from the Outer Ear to Tympanic Membrane.
Eardrum: Receives and transmits sound waves.
Ear, Nose and Throat Physician: See “Otolaryngologist”.
Ear Wax: Also known as cerumen. Protective secretion from the glands of the outer ear. Yellow in color.
ENT: See “Otolaryngologist”.
Eustachian Tube: Bony tube which neutralizes air pressure on both sides of tympanic membrane.
Feedback: The whistling and/or squealing noise casued by amplified sound waves continuously looped and retransmitted.
Frequency: The number of vibrations per cycle/second in a sound wave. Typically referred to as a Hertz (Hz).
Gain: Ratio of output over input.
Hz: See “Hertz”.
Hearing Aid: A wearable, sound-amplifying device that is intended to compensate for impaired hearing.
Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS): A licensed professional specializing in hearing and hearing loss related issues.
Hertz (Hz): Unit of frequency which is equivalent to one cycle per second.
HIS: See “Hearing Instrument Specialist”.
ITC: See “In-the-Canal”.
In-The-Canal (ITC): Style of hearing aid. Discreet design. Fits almost entirely within the ear canal.
Inner Ear: Portion of the ear located in the temporal bone. Includes vestibule, semicircular canals and cochlea.
Occlusion: Obstruction in the articulation of sounds made by one’s speech. Sounds like you are talking in a barrel.
Open Fit: A style of fitting for BTE style hearing aids. Limits occlusion due to allowing air and natural sounds to filter through. Most open-fits, though, only address mild or high frequency loss and are not very effective in noisy environments.
Pinna: Portion of the outer ear primarily made of cartilage.
Pitch: Intensity of sound as it relates to frequency. Can range from low to high.
Pure Tone: Continuous single frequency commonly used in hearing tests.
Middle Ear: Separates the Outer Ear and Inner Ear. Transmits sounds through the Ossicular Chain
Mini BTE: See “Mini Behind-The-Ear”.
Mini Behind-The-Ear (Mini BTE): Style of hearing aid. Discreetly and comfortably fits behind your ear.
Mixed Hearing Loss: Type of hearing loss encompassing both Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss.
Ossicular Chain: Small bones of the middle ear that consist of the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup).
Otolaryngologist: Medical doctor specializing in the ear, nose and throat.
Outer Ear: The visible part of the ear (pinna) and ear canal.
PCP: Primary Care Physician or Family Practitioner.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Hearing loss associated with nerve damage to the inner ear. Most common form of hearing loss.
Tinnitus: The ringing of the ear caused by disturbance in auditory nerve.
Treble: Highest part of the harmonic voice.
Tympanic Membrane: Thin membrane which closes the cavity of the middle ear. Receives and transmits sound waves.
Volume: Degree of loudness and/or intensity.