Acoustic Nerve
The vestibulocochlear nerve or the auditory nerve. The VIIIth cranial nerve which runs from the inner ear to the brainstem and contains fibers carrying both auditory and vestibular information.
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The vestibulocochlear nerve or the auditory nerve. The VIIIth cranial nerve which runs from the inner ear to the brainstem and contains fibers carrying both auditory and vestibular information.
Definition: Portion of a neuron that conveys the neural impulse away from the cell body to the terminal button. What is an axon? An axon
The auricle is the cartilaginous structures of the external ear located peripheral to the skull. What is the auricle of the ear? The auricle, also
Aural rehabilitation therapy or training sessions are designed to improve communication skills. What is aural rehabilitation? Aural rehabilitation (AR) is a set of therapy or
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing, also known as Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testing and Auditory Evoked Response testing, is a test requiring specialized equipment
An audiologist is a hearing healthcare professional who has earned a Master’s Degree (M.S or M.A) or Doctorate Degree (Au.D or Ph.D) in audiology or
Definition: Another name for a hearing test or hearing evaluation. What is the meaning of audiometry? Audiometry is the science of measuring hearing. It is
Definition: Doctor of Audiology; A clinical doctorate degree What is an Au. D degree? An Au. D (Doctor of Audiology) is a professional doctorate degree
The absence or closure of the external auditory meatus (ear canal). What does atresia mean? Atresia is a medical term that means “closure.” In the
Non-hearing aid devices used by a hearing impaired individual to improve communication and the performance of activities in specific environments. ALDs include devices such as
In audiology, antagonistic muscles are two muscles that have opposite actions. When one muscle contracts, the other muscle relaxes. This helps to protect the ear
Definition: The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is the largest professional organization for audiologists in the United States. It was founded in 1968 and has
Binaural squelch is the improved ability to focus on a desired sound in the presence of undesired sounds when you hear it through both ears.
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a condition in which the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, does not
What is a body aid hearing aid? A body hearing aid is an older style of hearing aid in which the electronic components and batteries
Bone-conduction thresholds are the lowest level that an individual can hear a pure-tone stimulus presented through a vibrator placed on the mastoid bone or forehead.
Behavioral audiometry is a hearing test that requires some type of visible and voluntary response from the individual being evaluated. What is behavioral audiometry evaluation?
A style of hearing aid in which the electronic portion of the hearing aid (including battery, microphone, speaker, amplifier, etc) is located on top or
A term used to signify that both ears or both sides of the head are involved. For example, “he has bilateral hearing loss” means that
What binaural means? Binaural hearing refers to the ability to hear with both ears. This allows us to localize sounds in space, distinguish between different
What are binaural advantages? Binaural advantages are the benefits that people with hearing loss experience when they use hearing aids in both ears. These benefits
Binaural summation is the increase in perceived loudness of a sound when it is presented to both ears compared to when it is presented to
The brainstem is the portion of the brain that is below the cerebrum and anterior to the cerebellum. It is a conduit of information to
The Basilar Membrane is located inside the cochlea. It separates scala media and scala tympani; on this membrane rests the organ of Corti. What is
A custom hearing aid is a hearing aid that is made specifically for the individual’s ear. What is a Custom Hearing Aid? Custom hearing aids
Cued Speech is a visual communication system that uses hand shapes, facial expressions, and body language to represent the sounds of spoken language. It is
Contralateral routing of signal (CROS) is a type of hearing aid designed for individuals with unilateral hearing loss. What is Contralateral Routing of Signal (CROS)?
The crus or crura are the two side parts of the stapes bone of the middle ear. They are named after the Latin word for
The cortex is the outer layer of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. It is made up of gray matter, which is mostly
A cookie bite audiogram is a description of the graph of an individual’s hearing thresholds in which the middle frequencies are noticeably poorer than the
Congenital hearing loss is the presence of hearing loss at or before birth. It is the most common type of hearing loss in children, affecting
The cone of light is a triangular brightness that is visible on the lower portion of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) during otoscopy. Otoscopy is a
What is Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid? A Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing aid is the smallest type of hearing aid available. It is designed to fit completely
Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that occurs when there is a problem with the outer ear or middle ear. The outer
Conditioned play audiometry is a method used to assess the hearing abilities of pediatric patients. It is a type of behavioral audiometry, which means that
Also called compression, condensation is the portion of a sound wave where the air molecules are most tightly packed together. What is Condensation in Hearing
Decibels hearing level. 0 dB HL is the softest sound that can be heard by the average person with normal hearing. It is not the absence of sound, as persons with better than average hearing will have thresholds lower than 0 dB HL (e.g -10 dB HL)
A dendrite is a branch-like extension of a neuron that receives signals from other neurons. Dendrites are responsible for collecting information from the environment and
What is digital hearing? Digital hearing is a type of hearing aid that uses digital technology to amplify sound. Digital hearing aids are more advanced
Diplacusis is a condition in which a person hears a single tone as two or more tones. This can be a very frustrating condition, as
Direct Audio Input (DAI) is a feature on some hearing aids that allows an external audio source to be connected directly to the hearing aid.
What is dispensing in Audiology? Dispensing audiology is a branch of audiology that focuses on the selection, fitting, and adjustment of hearing aids. Dispensers are
What is a Dri-Aid kit? A dry aid kit is a product that is used to help keep hearing aids dry. It contains drying agents
Digital signal processing (DSP) is a way of manipulating digital audio signals to improve their quality or functionality. DSP is used in a wide variety
dB SL stands for decibels sensation level. What does dB SL mean? It is a unit of measurement that is used to express the intensity
dB SPL stands for decibels sound pressure level. What does dB SPL mean? dB SPL is a unit of measurement that is used to express
A decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement used to express the relative loudness of a sound. It is a logarithmic scale, which means that
Decussation is a common phenomenon in the nervous system. It occurs in many different parts of the brain and spinal cord. What is decussation? Decussation
The external auditory meatus. The hole in the temporal bone that tunnels the sound from the pinna to the ear drum (tympanic membrane).
What is the eardrum? The eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, is a thin, semi-transparent membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle
What is an earmold? An earmold is a custom-made piece of plastic that is inserted into the ear canal to help hold a hearing aid
What is the Eighth Cranial Nerve (CN VIII)? The eighth cranial nerve, also known as the vestibulocochlear nerve, is a pair of nerves that carry
Entrainment is an undesired effect of some anti-feedback circuitry in which the feedback reduction algorithm attempts to eliminate an incoming sound as if the sound
Equilibrium is the ability to maintain balance. It is a complex process that involves the vestibular system, the visual system, and the proprioceptive system. The
Evoked potentials (EPs) are electrical signals that are generated by the brain in response to a stimulus. These signals can be measured using electrodes placed
What is the external auditory meatus of the ear? The external auditory meatus, also known as the ear canal or the acoustic meatus, is a
Exostosis is a bony growth that can develop in the ear canal. It is a common condition, especially in people who spend a lot of
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a condition that occurs when the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, becomes
The Eustachian tube, also known as the auditory tube, is a small canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx (the back of the
In hearing terms, etiology refers to the source or cause of a hearing loss. There are many different causes of hearing loss, and the etiology
The high-pitched whistling sound that can be emitted by a hearing aid when the hearing aid’s microphone picks up its own input, thus re-amplifying itself
A flat audiogram is a description of the graph of an individual’s hearing thresholds in which the degree of loss present is similar or equal
The footplate is the portion of the stapes bone that is attached to the two crura and that sits in the oval window. The footplate
In audiology, frequency is the number of vibrations that occur in one second. It is measured in hertz (Hz), and the human hearing range is
Feedback can be a very annoying and distracting sound, and it can make it difficult to hear other sounds. What is feedback in audiology? Feedback
A feedback suppressor or canceller is a technology that is used to reduce or eliminate feedback in hearing aids, sound systems, and other audio devices.
A fistula is an abnormal hole or rupture in the window that connects the middle ear cavity and the cochlea, allowing the leakage of inner
A full shell hearing aid is a type of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid that fills up the entire bowl area of the outer ear. It
In audiology, gain is a term used to describe the amount of additional intensity added by a hearing aid or other amplifying device to an
Definition: Genetic hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is caused by changes in one or more genes. These changes can be inherited
Head shadow is the attenuation of sound by the head. This is because the head blocks the path of sound waves, which results in a
What is hearing loss? Hearing loss is the inability to perceive the presence of a sound at normal hearing levels. This can be caused by
The helicotrema is a small opening at the apex of the cochlea. It allows fluid to flow between the scala vestibuli and scala tympani. This
The helix is the curved/raised rim of the external ear (pinna). It is one of the three main parts of the pinna, along with the
Hereditary hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is passed down from parents to their children. It can be caused by a mutation
What is frequency in hertz (Hz)? Frequency is the number of times a sound wave repeats itself per second. It is measured in hertz (Hz),
High frequency hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that affects the ability to hear high-pitched sounds. This can make it difficult to hear
Hard of hearing is a term used to describe hearing-impaired individuals with mild to severe/profound hearing impairment who are not deaf. What is hard of
The head shadow effect is a phenomenon in audiology that refers to the attenuation of sound waves as they travel around the head. This attenuation
What is a hearing aid? A hearing aid is a small electronic device that is worn in or behind the ear to amplify sound. Hearing
A hearing aid dispenser is a person who is licensed by the state to dispense hearing aids. They do not have university training in audiology,
A hearing aid specialist is a non-audiologist who holds a state license that allows him or her to dispense hearing aids. They do not have
Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) is a technique used to monitor the function of the nervous system during surgery. IOM is used in a variety of surgical
What is IROS Hearing Aid? An IROS hearing aid is a hearing aid that has a large vent. The vent allows sound to flow in
Impedance is a measure of the opposition to the flow of energy through a medium. It is a complex number that has both magnitude and
The incus is the middle bone of the ossicular chain, which is a series of three bones that transmit sound waves from the eardrum to
A signal used by some assistive listening devices to send sound via infrared light waves What is an infrared hearing system? An infrared hearing system
Inner hair cells (IHCs) are the sensory cells in the cochlea that are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to
Insertion gain is an important measure for hearing aid fitting. It helps to ensure that the hearing aid is providing enough amplification to improve hearing.
In situ is a Latin term that means “in place” or “in the natural position.” In audiology, the term in situ is used to refer
The internal auditory meatus (IAM) is a canal within the petrous part of the temporal bone that transmits nerves and vessels from within the posterior
In audiology, intensity refers to the loudness or volume of a sound. It is measured in decibels (dB). The lower the dB level, the quieter
An In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aid is a small, custom-fit hearing aid that is inserted into the ear canal. It is smaller than an In-The-Ear (ITE)
An In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid is a type of hearing aid that is custom-fit to the outer ear. It is the largest type of hearing
kHz stands for kilohertz, which is a unit of measurement for frequency. What is kHz in audiology? Frequency is the number of cycles per second
A kneepoint is a point on a graph that represents the change in slope. What is kneepoint in audiology? In audiology, the kneepoint is the
Localization is the ability to determine the location of a sound source. This is done by the brain using cues from the ears, such as
Low profile hearing aids are a good option for people who want a discreet hearing aid that is still powerful enough to provide effective hearing
The labyrinth is a vital part of the inner ear. It is responsible for both hearing and balance. What is the Labyrinth in the Ear?
A listening stethoscope is a device used by hearing healthcare professionals to listen to a hearing aid for the purpose of assessing the hearing aid’s
The lobule is the fleshy, lower part of the pinna, or outer ear. What is lobule in the human body? The lobule is often used
A hearing loop system is a type of assistive listening device that uses a magnetic field to transmit sound directly to a hearing aid or
Language development disorder (hearing related) is a condition in which a child with hearing loss does not develop language skills at the same rate as
It is a part of the auditory pathway, which is the neural pathway that carries sound information from the ear to the brain. What is
The lever action of the middle ear is a mechanical advantage that increases the force of sound waves as they travel from the eardrum to
The levator veli palatini (LVP) is a muscle in the nasopharynx that is responsible for elevating the soft palate. The soft palate is a muscular
Lateralization is the perception by an individual that a sound is being heard on one side due to a timing and intensity difference, when in
What is a linear hearing aid? A linear hearing aid is one that adds the same amount of gain to the incoming signal, regardless of
The first/hammer-shaped bone in the ossicular chain, that is attached to the eardrum
Myelin is a fatty material that covers portions of some neurons’ axons. It insulates nerves from each other, and permits rapid transmissions of neural impulses
A multi-memory hearing aid is a hearing aid that has more than one listening program that the user can access to improve communications in various
A multi-channel hearing aid is a programmable hearing aid that allows the dispenser to adjust the instrument’s compression characteristics in a specified set of frequencies
A multi-band hearing aid is a programmable hearing aid that allows the dispenser to adjust gain in a specified set of frequencies without affecting gain
Mucous membranes are moist, soft tissues that line many parts of the body, including the nose, throat, and ears. They secrete mucus, which helps to
What is the most comfortable loudness level? Most comfortable loudness level (MCL) is a measure of the intensity level of a sound that is most
Monaural sound output is the opposite of binaural sound output, which is sound that is presented to both ears. What is the full meaning of
In audiology, a medium is the substance through which sound travels. Sound is often defined as the vibration of the molecules of a medium. Air
Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The symptoms of Meniere’s disease can be
A microphone is a device that converts sound waves into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then amplified and sent to the hearing aid’s
A node of Ranvier is a gap in the myelin sheath that covers the axons of some neurons. These gaps are found along the axon
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a type of hearing loss that is caused by exposure to loud noise. NIHL can be caused by a single
Non-organic Hearing Loss (NOHL) is a type of hearing loss that is not caused by any physical damage to the auditory system. NOHL is also
Nystagmus is a rhythmic, involuntary movement of the eyes. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including inner ear disorders, brainstem damage, and
The oval window is a membrane-covered opening in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear. It is located in the cochlea, which is the spiral-shaped
What is output limiting in hearing aid? Output limiting is a feature of hearing aids that helps to prevent the output of the hearing aid
An otolaryngologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT). Otolaryngologists
Outer hair cells (OHCs) are a type of hair cell found in the cochlea, the hearing organ of the inner ear. OHCs are responsible for
The outer ear is the most peripheral part of the human auditory system. It consists of the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory meatus (ear
Ototoxic medications are prescription or over-the-counter drugs that can have a temporary or permanent detrimental effect on an individual’s hearing or balance system. These medications
Otosclerosis is a condition that affects the middle ear. It is characterized by the formation of abnormal bone on the stapes, a small bone that
Otoscopic examination is a procedure that uses an otoscope to look into the ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum). It is a common part of
Otoscopes are a valuable tool for diagnosing ear problems. They are easy to use and can provide valuable information about the condition of the ear.
Definition: Otorrhea is the medical term for ear drainage. It can be caused by an infection in the outer ear or middle ear, or by
An otologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear. Otologists are also known as
An otoblock is a sponge or piece of cotton that is used to prevent impression material from going too deep into the ear canal during
Definition: The pure tone average (PTA) is a measure of hearing loss that is calculated by averaging the air conduction thresholds of the three middle
Pure tone audiometry is a test of hearing that uses pure tones, or single frequencies of sound, to measure the softest sounds that a person
Pumping is a fluctuation in volume noticed by a hearing aid wearer due to the instrument’s compression characteristics. It can be caused by a number
PTS is a permanent reduction in the sensitivity of the ear to sound. It is caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner
Being programmable is a helpful feature on more current hearing aids that allows them to be attached, via a cord, to a computer in an
Probe microphone measurements are an important part of the hearing aid fitting process. They can help to ensure that the hearing aids are providing the
Presbycusis is a progressive hearing loss that is attributed to the aging process. It is the most common type of hearing loss in adults, affecting
The pinna is a part of the ear made up of cartilage. It is also referred to as the auricle. The pinna is an important
Hearing loss that occurs prior to a child developing speech and language skills. What causes prelingual hearing loss? Prelingual hearing loss can be caused by
A power hearing aid is a type of hearing aid that is designed specifically for individuals with severe to profound hearing losses. Power hearing aids
A potentiometer is a type of variable resistor. It is used to control the amount of current that flows through a circuit. Potentiometers are often
The pars tensa is the tense portion of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. What is the pars tensa? It is made up of three layers:
Definition: In hearing terms, QoL refers to the increased ability to enjoy and pursue daily activities when a hearing loss is addressed with amplification.
Rarefaction is the portion of a sound wave where the air molecules are most spread apart and have the lowest pressure. This is the opposite
Resonance can occur in any object or medium that can vibrate. Resonance can be used to amplify sound waves. It can also be used to
What does Retrocochlear mean in medical terms? Retrocochlear means “behind the cochlea.” In audiology, retrocochlear refers to hearing loss that is caused by damage to
Reverberation can be a desirable or undesirable effect in sound. In music, reverberation can be used to create a sense of space or atmosphere. However,
A reverse-slope audiogram is a type of audiogram that shows a hearing loss that is more pronounced at low frequencies than at high frequencies. This
What is the Round Window in Your Ear? The round window is a membrane-covered opening in the cochlea of the inner ear. It is located
Real ear testing (REM) is a type of hearing test that measures the performance of hearing aids in the ear canal. It is a more
What is a real-ear aided response? Real ear aided response (REAR) is a measure of the sound pressure level (SPL) of a sound in the
Real ear unaided response (REUR) is a valuable tool for audiologists and hearing aid users. It can help to identify problems with hearing aid fitting
Real ear occluded response (REOR) is a measure of the sound pressure level (SPL) of a sound in the ear canal with a hearing aid
A receiver is the speaker inside of a hearing aid that converts the amplified electrical energy to sound waves. It is the final component in
Recruitment is a condition that occurs in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), a type of hearing loss that affects the inner ear. In people with recruitment,
What is swimming earplugs? Swimplugs are earplugs that are specifically designed to keep water out of the ear canal. They are often used by swimmers,
The superior olivary complex (SOC) is a group of nuclei located in the brainstem that are involved in hearing. It is the first auditory relay
Sound booths are typically made of sound-absorbing materials, such as acoustic foam or fiberglass. The walls, ceiling, and floor of the booth are typically lined
What is stria vascularis? The stria vascularis is a specialized region of the inner ear that is responsible for producing and maintaining the endolymph, the
The stapes is the smallest and last bone in the ossicular chain, a chain of three bones that transmit sound waves from the tympanic membrane
The stapedius is the smallest skeletal muscle in the human body. It is located in the middle ear, and its tendon is attached to the
What is the spiral limbus? The spiral limbus is a part of the organ of Corti in the inner ear. It is a thin, bony
Speech reception threshold (SRT) is a measure of hearing ability that is used to assess the lowest intensity level at which an individual can repeat
Speech reading is the technique of using lip reading and other visual cues produced by a speaker to help with the understanding of spoken words.
What is Speech Mapping? Speech mapping is a type of real-ear measurement (REM) that uses speech as the input signal. This allows audiologists to see
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do? A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a healthcare professional who assesses speech and language development and treats language and speech
Speech audiometry is a valuable tool for assessing a person’s ability to understand speech. However, it is important to remember that speech audiometry is just
Tympanometry is a test that measures the mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and the middle ear cavity. It is a painless and non-invasive test
A tympanogram is a graph that shows the mobility of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. It is a test that is used to assess the
The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is a thin, semi-circular membrane that separates the ear canal from the middle ear cavity. It is
What is TTS (Temporary Threshold Shift)? TTS, or temporary threshold shift, is a temporary hearing loss that occurs after exposure to loud noise. It is
What is a tuning fork? A tuning fork is a handheld device that produces tones that are essentially pure tones. Tuning forks of different sizes
The tunnel of Corti is a narrow space beneath the arch of Corti in the cochlea. It is filled with endolymph, a fluid that is
A transmitter is a device that sends a signal from one place to another. In audiology, a transmitter is used in a contralateral routing of
What is meant by Traveling waves? A traveling wave is a wave that moves through a medium, transporting energy from one point to another. In
What is the trapezoid body? The trapezoid body is a nerve fiber pathway in the lower brainstem that decussates from one hemisphere to the other.
A Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) is a device that allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate over the phone.
The tragus is a small, cartilaginous prominence that projects in front of the ear canal. It is covered with skin and is movable. The tragus
Tonotopic organization is the spatial arrangement of neurons in the auditory system such that neurons that respond to similar frequencies are located close together. This
Uncomfortable Loudness Level (UCL) is a measurement that is often made prior to the ordering of or programming of a hearing aid that determines, for
What is an umbo? An umbo is the centermost point of the tympanic membrane, or eardrum. It is the point at which the tympanic membrane
Pertaining only to one ear or one side of the head (i.e., The person with hearing loss on the right but not the left has
The utricle is a small, sac-like structure located in the vestibule of the inner ear. It is part of the vestibular system, which is responsible
Volume control is a wheel or button on the faceplate of a hearing aid or on a remote control that is used by a hearing
What is the vestibular system? The vestibular system is a part of the inner ear that is responsible for balance. It is made up of
What is the vestibule in the human body? The vestibule is a part of the inner ear that is located between the cochlea and the
The vestibulocochlear nerve, also known as the auditory nerve or the eighth cranial nerve, is a sensory nerve that connects the inner ear to the
The VIII nerve, also known as the vestibulocochlear nerve or the acoustic nerve, is the eighth of twelve cranial nerves. It is a sensory nerve
Visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) is a behavioral test used to assess the hearing of infants and toddlers who are too young to participate in traditional
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or feeling like the world is spinning around you. It is a symptom of a problem with the vestibular
Some hearing aids come with vents already built in, while others require the addition of a vent. Vents can also affect the frequency response of
Wavelength is the distance between two points on a wave that is in the same phase of vibration. In audiology, the wavelength is typically measured
What is a wax loop? A wax loop is a small tool used by professionals and hearing aid users to clean ear wax out of
What does WNL mean? WNL stands for “within normal limits.” In audiology, this term is used to describe hearing that is within the normal range.
A word recognition score (WRS) is a measure of how well a person can understand speech. It is calculated by dividing the number of words