ABR
Auditory brainstem response testing is an auditory evoked potential also
known as brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) measures the timing of
electrical waves from the brainstem in response to clicks and tone bursts
in the ear.
AEP
Auditory evoked potentials. General category that includes BAER, ABR, and
ASSR tests. Evoked potentials are used for evaluating hearing ability in
children that are unable to participate in traditional audiometric
testing. This information is essential in the management of children with
hearing loss.
ASSR
Auditory steady state response is an auditory evoked potential test that
measures the timing of electrical waves from the brainstem in response to
modulated frequency specific tones in the ear. The results obtained from
ASSR testing can be used to estimate the behavioral pure-tone audiogram.
Acoustic Immittance
Term used for testing the functional integrity of the middle ear
mechanism, including the eardrum and ossicles. Includes tympanometry and
acoustic reflex testing. These tests have become routine as they are
sensitive to middle ear disorders even in persons with little or no
hearing.
Acoustic reflex testing
consists of subjecting the ear to a loud sound and determining if it
causes the stapedius muscle to tighten the stapes. Acoustic reflexes are
mainly useful as a clinical tool to further assess the status of the
middle ear mechanism. Acoustic reflexes can also be a sign of brainstem
dysfunction.
Air Conduction (AC)
The process by which sound is sent (conducted) to the inner ear through
the external ear canal and middle ear. Air-conduction testing is performed
by sending sounds to the ear through an earphone or loudspeaker.
American Sign Language
A language used by people who cannot hear (see Deaf, deaf and Hard of
Hearing). ASL uses hand shapes, positions, movements, facial expressions,
and body movements to convey meaning. ASL uses an alphabet (finger
spelling), sign representing ideas, and gestures. ASL is an independent
language that has its own grammar and syntax.
Some studies focus on the age of ASL acquisition. Age is a
critical issue for people who acquire ASL, whether it is a first or second
language. For a person to become fully competent in any language, exposure
must begin as early as possible, preferably before school age. Other
studies compare the skills of native signers and non-native signers to
determine differences in language processing ability. Native signers of
ASL consistently display more accomplished sign language ability than
non-native signers, again emphasizing the importance of early exposure and
acquisition. Other studies focus on different ASL processing skills. Users
of ASL have shown ability to process visual mental images differently than
hearing users of English. Though English speakers possess the skills
needed to process visual imagery, ASL users demonstrate faster processing
ability–suggesting that sign language enhances certain processing
functions of the human brain.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment,
programs and services provided by state and local governments, goods and
services provided by private companies, and in commercial facilities.
These sites provide valuable information about the ADA for people with
disabilities, employers, local businesses, and government agencies.
Amplification
Term used to describe devices that can be used to amplify, or make louder,
a child’s hearing. Examples of amplification are hearing aids, FM systems,
and cochlear implants.
Analogue
Traditional way of processing signals, where the signals are processed
continuously and in real time.
Assistive device
Any device other than a hearing aid which helps the hearing impaired.
Audiogram
An audiogram is a means of recording the results of a hearing test. It
will include a table and a graph for each ear showing how well someone can
hear sounds at various frequencies. It may also record results of other
tests that indicate how well various parts of you’re a person’s ear (outer
ear, middle ear and inner ear) are working.
Audiologist
A hearing specialist trained to test hearing. An audiologist also
recommends and fits devices to aid hearing.
Audiometry
the term used to describe formal measurement of hearing. The measurement
is usually performed using an “audiometer” by an “audiologist”. In
audiometry, hearing is measured at frequencies varying from low pitches
(250 Hz) to high pitches (8000 Hz).
Auditory Evoked Potentials (ABR, AABR, BAER, BER)
This test measures how well a baby’s hearing nerve responds to sounds. To
perform the test, special sensors are placed on the baby’s forehead and
behind each ear. A soft rubber earphone is placed in the baby’s ear and
sends a series of soft sounds into the sleeping baby’s ear. The sensors
measure the response of the baby’s hearing nerve. The responses are
recorded and stored in a computer.
Auditory Neuropathy, AN, also know as auditory dysynchrony, is a
hearing disorder in which sound enters the inner ear normally but the
transmission of signals from the inner ear to the brain is impaired. It
can affect people of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. The number
of people affected by auditory neuropathy is not known, but the condition
affects a relatively small percentage of people who have a hearing loss.
People with auditory neuropathy may have normal hearing, or hearing loss
ranging from mild to severe; they always have poor speech-perception
abilities, meaning they have trouble understanding speech clearly. Often,
speech perception is worse than would be predicted by the degree of
hearing loss. For example, a person with auditory neuropathy may be able
to hear sounds, but would still have difficulty recognizing spoken words.
Sounds may fade in and out for these individuals and seem out of sync.
Auditory Training
Listening to environmental sounds, music and speech to practice
recognizing and understanding what has been heard.
Aural (re)habilitation
Specialized training for people with hearing loss to help them learn
spoken communication skills through speech reading and auditory training.
BAER
Brainstem auditory evoked responses is an auditory evoked potential test
also known as auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR), measures the
timing of electrical waves from the brainstem in response to clicks and
tone bursts in the ear.
Bilateral Hearing Loss
A hearing loss in both ears.
Bone Conduction
The transmission of sound (mechanical vibrations) through the bones of the
skull to the inner ear. Bone conduction testing is completed using a bone
oscillator (vibrator) that is placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear or
on the forehead.
Bone-conduction Hearing Aid
A hearing aid in which the amplified signal directly stimulates the inner
ear via a bone vibrator placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear. This
type of hearing aid typically is used for individuals with atresia or
chronic ear drainage.
Captioning
A text display of spoken words, presented on a television or a movie
screen that allows a deaf or hard-of-hearing viewer to follow the dialogue
and the action of a program simultaneously.
Cued Speech
Cued Speech is not a language, but it supplements any language
with several special hand shapes and movements that are designed to allow
a hard of hearing individual to differentiate between sounds that look
alike when seen on the lips.
dB (decibels)
When testing hearing, dB is used to indicate the loudness of a sound. The
larger the number, the louder the sound. A 15 dB sound is very soft, and a
100 dB sound is very loud.
deaf
In this uncapitalized form, the word deaf simply means unable to hear. It
says nothing about the individual, the individual’s language or culture.
Technically, Deaf people, (note Deaf, with a capital) some hard of hearing
people, and all late deafened people are deaf. Some hard of hearing
people, who might be completely unable to hear may still prefer to be
called “hard of hearing” ... it’s a personal choice. Many Deaf people may
prefer to be called Deaf instead of deaf ... again, it’s a personal
choice.
Deaf
A term used to describe persons who have a hearing loss greater than 90 dB
HL. It also may be used to refer to those who consider themselves part of
the Deaf community or culture and choose to communicate using American
Sign Language instead of spoken communication.
Deaf Culture
You may hear “Deaf Culture” some time during your lifetime. Deaf Culture
is when the community shares a common language and pride in American Sign
Language. They share survival techniques in hearing population, norms of
behavior, attitudes, humors, artistic, and experiences. They seek each
other for social interaction and emotional support.
Diagnostic Audiologic Evaluation
A thorough hearing test conducted by an audiologist (hearing specialist).
An in-depth ABR test is usually used to determine a baby’s hearing status.
This test will confirm whether or not hearing problems exist, and if so,
to what degree.
Digital
Digital sound processing means that the sound is registered
mathematically. Digital sound is encoded as a series of numbers (0 and 1),
which reflect its pitch and volume at a given instant. The processing is
very precise and can be manipulated electronically.
Dynamic Range
The difference between the softest sounds one can hear and the loudest
sound tolerated.
ENT
Ear Nose & Throat - A physician who specializes in disorders of the ear,
nose or throat.
Ear Canal
The passageway from the outer ear to the eardrum.
Eardrum
Also called the tympanic membrane; the eardrum separates the outer ear
from the middle ear and is important in conducting sound to the middle ear
and inner ear.
Ear Infection
The presence and growth of bacteria or viruses in the ear.
Earmold
A custom-made mold, used with a behind-the-ear hearing aid, which delivers
amplified sounds into the ear.
Earwax
An oily substance that lubricates the ear. Everyone produces earwax and
the production of earwax regulates naturally. Earwax can harden in the ear
canal and thereby block it. It should be removed only by an otologist.
Also called cerumen.
Early Intervention
Early intervention services help young children and their families learn
to communicate and adjust to living with hearing loss. Services may
include assistance in developing communication with your child, parent and
sibling support groups, and instruction in different methods of
communication.
Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE, EOAE, TEOAE, DPOAE)
This is a test that measures how well a child’s cochlea, or inner ear
works. A soft rubber ear piece is placed in the baby’s outer ear and makes
a soft clicking sound. Healthy ears will “echo” the click sound back to a
microphone inside the ear piece that is in the baby’s ear.
Feedback
In hearing aids feedback is ‘whistling’ or ‘howling’, which is created
when the amplified sound from the hearing aid escapes from the ear canal
through ear mold vents or slit leaks and is picked up by the microphone of
the same hearing aid.
FM system
An FM system is a system which can be added to a hearing aid, when the
hearing impaired person has to listen in difficult hearing situations. It
consists of a microphone, which is placed near the speaker(s), amplifier
and receiver, that is also attached to the hearing aid.
Frequency
The unit of measurement related to the pitch of a sound. Frequency is
expressed in Hz (Hertz) or cps (cycles per second). The more cycles per
second, the higher the pitch.
German measles
German measles (Rubella) can in the first months of pregnancy cause
hearing impairment in the fetus. It can cause other abnormalities.
Hard of Hearing
Hard of hearing refers to someone who doesn’t hear well. This may be
because they were born with a hearing loss or they may have lost some or
all of their hearing later in life. Many hard of hearing people don’t know
that they have a hearing loss. Some simply deny it, even though they may
know that their hearing is diminished. Some people who are completely deaf
may consider themselves hard of hearing. In all, nearly 10% of all people
have some level of hearing loss. Over your lifetime, there is a much
higher probability you will lose some of your hearing. While many older
people do experience some loss of hearing, hearing loss is not a problem
for just older people ... many babies are born with hearing loss and many
children and young adults have hearing problems.
Hearing Aid
A wearable instrument intended to aid a person with impaired hearing,
usually consisting of a microphone, amplifier and earphone, powered by a
low voltage battery. Hearing aids can be worn behind the ear, in the ear
and sometimes on the body. Hearing aids do not restore normal hearing but
can improve the wearer’s ability to hear.
Hearing Impaired
A technically accurate description of someone who is hard of hearing or
who has no hearing . however, many Deaf, hard of hearing and late deafened
people prefer not to be called impaired. They don’t want to be primarily
defined by their lack of (or poor) hearing. While it’s true that their
hearing is not perfect, that shouldn’t make them impaired as people. Most
would prefer to be called Deaf, hard of hearing or deaf when the need
arises to refer to their hearing status, but not as a primary way to
identify them as people (where their hearing status is not significant).
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is reduced ability to perceive sound in relation to a young
person with normal hearing. There are different types of hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss, which is caused by a problem of the outer or
middle ear, and sensorineural hearing loss, which is a result of a
malfunction of the sensory cells and the nerve fibers in the inner ear. A
diagnostic audiologic evaluation is needed to confirm if a child has a
hearing loss, and to determine what degree of hearing loss a child has. It
is important to diagnose a hearing loss as early as possible so that early
intervention services can begin before 6 months of age.
Hearing Screening
A hearing screening determines if an infant’s hearing is normal at the
time of testing, or if more testing is necessary. A screening test is not
the same as a diagnostic evaluation, which defines an infant’s hearing
more thoroughly. If there are any problems on a hearing screening, the
infant’s hearing will usually be re-screened. If necessary, after the
second screening test, an infant may be referred for a diagnostic
audiologic evaluation.
Hearing Threshold Level (HTL)
The faintest intensity level (in dB hearing level) that a person can hear
a sound of a particular test frequency. A completely normal HTL is 0 dB.
Also known as HL.
Hz (Hertz)
When testing hearing, Hz is used to indicate the frequency of a sound, or
the pitch. The lower the number, the lower the pitch. The higher the
number, the higher the pitch. A 250 Hz sound is a very low pitch, and an
8000 Hz sound is a very high pitch.
Individualized Education Program
Although not directly related to hearing loss, IEPs are of interest
because they are used to define the specific educational needs of
individual children. For children with disabilities, the IEP is required
by law. An IEP team including professionals from the school system (in
cooperation with the child’s parents) writes the IEP for each child.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a US federal law that requires certain educational standards and
accommodations for children with disabilities, including children with
hearing loss.
Infection
Both bacterial and viral infections may result in hearing loss. The most
common infection causing hearing loss is middle ear infection, Otitis
Media. Bacterial infections of the brain such as meningitis may affect the
cochlear labyrinth, resulting in severe sensorineural hearing loss. Viral
infections such as measles and mumps may result in a sensorineural hearing
loss.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner structure of the ear, called
the labyrinth. It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Patients
experience hearing problems, dizziness, and loss of balance.
Language
Language is communication through a system of rules that include: what
words mean, how to create new words, how to combine words together and
what word combinations are best for certain situations. Language can be a
system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written
symbols. A person can have difficulty understanding a language system
resulting in a receptive language problem or a person may understand a
language but is unable to effectively use the rules to share thoughts,
ideas and feelings resulting in an expressive language problem.
Nerve deafness
A lay term used to describe sensorineural hearing loss.
Ossicles
The chain of three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes).
Otitis Externa
An inflammation of the outer part of the ear extending to the auditory
canal.
Otitis Media
An inflammation of the middle ear caused by infection.
Otolaryngologist (ENT)
A medical doctor who specializes in ear nose & throat disorders.
Otolaryngologists can diagnose and treat middle ear infections and medical
problems that may affect your child’s hearing.
Pass
A “Pass” result on a hearing screening means that a baby has normal
hearing on the day of the test. It does not predict how a child will hear
in the future. A child’s hearing should be re-tested at any time if
speech-language milestones are not being met, or if there are parental
concerns.
Pediatrician
A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats most childhood illnesses. He or
she can answer questions about your child’s general health.
Pressure-Equalizing (PE) Tube
A tube that is inserted in the eardrum to equalize the pressure between
the middle ear and the ear canal and to permit drainage. Also called a
tympanostomy tube.
Refer
A “Refer” result means that further testing is necessary to evaluate an
infant’s hearing. This could mean that a hearing problem may exist, but
further testing is needed to confirm. The most common reasons for a
“refer” result on a hearing screening are birthing debris in the ear
canal, middle ear fluid or infection, or a permanent hearing loss (3 in
1000 births).
Residual Hearing
The amount of measurable, usable hearing.
Sensorineural Loss
A hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) and/or the
hearing nerve.
Speech
Refers to the act or manner in which a person produces a sound.
Speech Awareness Threshold (SAT)
The lowest hearing level in dB at which a person can detect the presence
of a speech signal. Also known as the speech detection threshold (SDT).
Speech Frequencies
The frequencies within the 500 to 4000 Hz region, which are most important
for hearing and understanding of speech.
Speech-Language Pathologist
A professional who evaluates and provides treatment for speech, language,
cognitive communication, and swallowing problems of children and adults.
Speech and language delays are frequently seen in children with hearing
impairments. Minimum academic degree is a Master’s degree. State licensure
is required to practice speech-language pathology in many states.
Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT)
The lowest hearing level in dB at which 50 percent of two-syllable
(spondee) words can be identified correctly. Also known as the ST (speech
threshold or spondee threshold).
TTY
TTY is a telephone device, where dialog is achieved by typing words. The
words are converted to phone signals and appear or are printed as words on
a receiving TTY machine
Teacher of the Deaf
A.K.A. Deaf Educator or Developmental Therapist/ Hearing (DTH) Is a
teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education - Deaf and Hard of
Hearing. Their studies focus on language acquisition and the unique
learning and communication needs of students with hearing loss. A DTH has
a background to offer families specialized information and supports
related to hearing loss.
Telecoil
A wire coil contained within a hearing aid that picks up magnetic energy
available from telephones or other assistive listening devices.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus (pronounced ti-night’-us or tin’-i-tus), is the medical term for
the perception of sound when no external sound is present; it is often
referred to as “ringing in the ears.” It can also take the form of
hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking. The noise can be
intermittent or constant, with single or multiple tones; it can be subtle
or at a life-shattering level. It can strike people of all ages and, for
most, it does not go away.
Tympanogram
The result of the tympanometry test is recorded in a visual output, called
a tympanogram.
Tympanometry
a measure of the stiffness of the eardrum and thus evaluate middle ear
function. This test can be helpful in detecting fluid in the middle ear,
negative middle ear pressure, disruption of the ossicles, tympanic
membrane perforation, and otosclerosis.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
A hearing loss in one ear only.
Usher’s Syndrome
Usher´s syndrome affects both hearing and sight. A person who is suffering
from this disease is born with a certain degree of hearing loss which may
vary from person to person. Later in life, the person develops a condition
called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Usher’s syndrome may also be referred to as
Retinitis Pigmentosa. Usher’s syndrome is a rare disease.
Vertigo
A spinning sensation, sometimes occurring with nausea and/or vomiting.
Voice Carry Over
An option of the relay service that allows a person (who can speak but not
hear), to talk on the phone with someone who can hear. A VCO relay
operator, acting between the two communicating parties, will type what the
hearing person says so that the other person can read it on their TTY or
computer. With VCO, the person who cannot hear does not have to type their
message, but can speak it directly. VCO can make a relay call much more
convenient for hard of hearing people, since only one side of the
conversation has to be typed and that is done by the relay operator.
