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 [...]
Idiopathic– Having an unknown cau Inner Ear – Part of the ear that contains both the organ of hearing (the cochlea) and the organ of balance. Impedance – an object or medium’s resistance to energy flow. A high–impedance medium will [...]
Habituation – Term used when you are no longer aware of your tinnitus except when you focus your attention on it. Hair Cells – Sensory cells of the inner ear, which are topped with hair–like structures (stereocilia), which transform the [...]
Gain – A term used to describe the amount of additional intensity added by a hearing aid or other amplifying device to an incoming signal during the amplification process. Genetic Hearing Loss – Congenital hearing loss. Hearing loss that is [...]
Feedback – The high–pitched whistling sound that can be emitted by a hearing aid when the hearing aid’s microphone picks up its own output, thus re–amplifying itself. Feedback Suppressor – Technology present in some newer hearing aids that is designed [...]
Ear Infection – Presence and growth of bacteria or viruses usually in the middle ear. Ear Wax (Cerumen) – Yellow secretion from glands in the outer ear canal that keeps the skin of the ear canal dry and protected from [...]
Decibel (dB) – The unit used to measure the intensity or loudness of sound. Dizziness – Physical unsteadiness, imbalance, and lightheadedness associated with balance disorders. Learn more about balance disorders and dizziness. Disequilibrium – Any disturbance of balance. Degree of [...]
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 [...]
Background Noise – Any sound that a person does not wish to hear or that interferes with what they are trying to hear. Balance – A biological system that enables individuals to know where their bodies are in the environment [...]
Acquired Deafness – Hearing loss not present at birth, but that develops over time Acoustic neuroma – A noncancerous tumor that grows on the nerve traveling from the ear to the brain. Hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus can be symptoms. [...]
