Cochlear Implants | Glossary

D

Decibel

Unit that measures the intensity or loudness of sound.

Dizziness

Physical unsteadiness, imbalance, and lightheadedness associated with balance and other disorders.

E

Ear infection

Presence and growth of bacteria or viruses in the ear.

Ear wax

Yellow secretion from glands in the outer ear (cerumen) that keeps the skin of the ear dry and protected from infection.

Endolymph

Fluid in the labyrinth (the organ of balance located in the inner ear).

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA)

An enlarged space in the vestibular portion of the ear sometimes resulting in hearing loss, typically progressive in nature which can also include balance problems.

Eustachian tube

A canal that links the middle ear with the throat area. The eustachian tube helps to keep the pressure between the outer ear and the middle ear the same. Having the same pressure allows for the proper transfer of sound waves. The eustachian tube is lined with mucous, just like the inside of the nose and throat.

Expressive language

Putting words together to form thoughts or express one's self.

H

Hair cells

Sensory cells of the inner ear, which are topped with hair-like structures (stereocilia), which transform the mechanical energy of sound waves into nerve impulses.

Hearing

Series of events in which sound waves in the air are converted to electrical signals and are then sent as nerve impulses to the brain where they are interpreted.

Hearing aid

Electronic device that brings amplified sound to the ear.

Hearing disorder

Disruption in the normal hearing process; sound waves are not converted to electrical signals and nerve impulses are not transmitted to the brain to be interpreted.

I

Inner ear

Part of the ear that contains both the organ of hearing (cochlea) and the organ of balance (labyrinth).

L

Labyrinth

Organ of balance located in the inner ear. The labyrinth consists of three semicircular canals and the vestibule.

Language

System for communicating ideas and feelings using sounds, gestures, signs, or marks.

Language disorders

Problems with verbal communication and the ability to use or understand the symbol system for interpersonal communication.

M

Mastoid

Back portion of the temporal bone behind the ear.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that envelop the brain and the spinal cord; may cause hearing loss or deafness.

Middle ear

Part of the ear that includes the eardrum and three tiny bones of the middle ear, ending at the round window that leads to the inner ear.

N

Noise-induced hearing loss

Hearing loss that is caused either by a one-time or repeated exposure to very loud sound or sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time.

O

Otitis media

Inflammation of the middle ear caused by infection.

Otitis externa

Inflammation of the outer part of the ear extending to the auditory canal.

Otoacoustic emissions

Low-intensity sounds produced by the inner ear that can be quickly measured with a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal.

Otolaryngologist

Physician / surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and head and neck.

Otologist

Physician / surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ear.

Outer ear

External portion of the ear, consisting of the pinna, or auricle, and the ear canal.

P

Phonology

Study of speech sounds.

Progressive hearing loss

A hearing loss that worsens over time.

R

Receptive language

Ability to process, comprehend, or integrate spoken language. Simply put, being able to understand what someone says to you.

Round window

Membrane separating the middle ear and inner ear.

S

Sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the sensory cells and/or nerve fibers of the inner ear.

Sign language

Language of hand shapes, facial expressions, and movements used as a form of communication.

Smell

To perceive odor or scent through stimuli affecting the olfactory nerves.

Sound vocalization

Ability to produce voice.

Speech

Making definite vocal sounds that form words to express thoughts and ideas.

Speech disorder

Defect or abnormality that prevents an individual from communicating by means of spoken words.

Speech-language pathologist

Health professional trained to evaluate and treat people who have voice, speech, language or swallowing disorders, including hearing impairment, that affect their ability to communicate.

Stuttering

Frequent repetition of words or parts of words that disrupts the smooth flow of speech.

Sudden deafness

Loss of hearing that occurs quickly from causes such as explosion, a viral infection or the use of some drugs.

Suppurative

Something that makes pus.

T

Total communication

Gestures, language of signs, speech reading, finger spelling, reading, writing and residual hearing are used to help with communication.

Toxoplasmosis

An infectious disease caused by a parasite that can be harmful to an unborn baby.

Tympanoplasty

Surgical repair of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) or bones of the middle ear.

V

Vestibule

Bony cavity of the inner ear.

Vocal cords (vocal folds)

Muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall; enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them.

Voice

Sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract.