The Ear Book: A Complete Guide to Ear Disorders and Health (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) 1st Edition

Glossary

acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)—benign tumor that grows on the hearing and balance nerve.

acquired deafness—deafness that is not present at birth.

adenoidectomy—surgical removal of the adenoids.

air conduction—transmission of sound waves through the outer, middle, and inner ear.

Alport syndrome—hereditary condition with hearing loss and kidney disease.

American Sign Language (ASL)—signed language not based on English used by culturally Deaf persons in the United States.

balance—system of equilibrium that allows standing and movement without falling, based on the inner ear, sight, the joints, and touch.

balance disorder—condition that causes loss of equilibrium, dizziness, and vertigo.

barotrauma—injury caused by a change of air pressure as in diving or flying, usually on descent.

central auditory processing disorder (CAPD)—abnormality of the hearing part of the brain that results in difficulty understanding words.

cholesteatoma—benign growth usually caused by repeated middle ear infections; skin cells build up and form a mass that may result in hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and facial nerve weakness; requires surgical removal.

cochlear implant—device that is surgically implanted into the cochlea to provide hearing for people with nerve deafness.

computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)—diagnostic imaging procedure based on computer controlled X-rays; shows accurate detail, especially of bone.

conductive hearing loss—hearing loss caused by dysfunction of the outer or middle ear.

decibel (dB)—measurement unit of loudness, based on a logarithmic scale.

decongestant—oral or spray medication that relieves congestion.

dizziness—any sense of lightheadedness, imbalance, or vertigo.

electrocochleography (ECOG)—test of function of the cochlea, measures electrical waves in response to sound.

electronystagmography (ENG)—test of the balance system of the inner ear, records electrical waves caused by eye movements in response to warm and cool stimulation; test has largely been replaced by video recording of eye movement called videonystagmography.

Epley maneuver—treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) based on moving tiny inner ear calcium crystals by head rotation.

Eustachian tube—passageway that connects the middle ear to the nose and throat; opens to equalize pressure in the middle ear.

gene therapy—insertion of new genes to replace defective genes or support function such as hearing.

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

hearing—sound waves are converted to electrical signals that are sent as nerve impulses to the brain where they are heard.

hearing aid—wearable electronic device makes sound louder, includes microphone, amplifier, microprocessor, and receiver.

hyperacusis—phenomenon where normal sounds are perceived to be abnormally loud and painful.

inner ear—part of the ear that includes the cochlea (hearing) and the labyrinth (balance).

labyrinth—balance part of the inner ear, the name reflects a maze of fluid-filled pathways.

labyrinthitis—a viral or bacterial infection of the inner ear; can cause dizziness, loss of balance, and hearing loss.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—diagnostic imaging procedure that uses magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images; does not use radiation.

mastoid—hollow bone that forms the posterior portion of the temporal bone behind the ear.

Ménière’s disease—inner ear disorder characterized by fluctuating hearing loss, episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and ear fullness.

meningitis—viral or bacterial infection of the meninges, membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord.

middle ear—part of the ear that includes the eardrum and three tiny bones of hearing; air filled.

motion sickness—dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting caused by motion, as in sea sickness or car sickness.

noise-induced hearing loss—sensorineural hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sound.

nonsyndromic hereditary deafness—inherited hearing loss that is not associated with other inherited abnormalities.

ossicles—middle ear bones including malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).

otitis externa—inflammation of the outer ear, usually the ear canal as in swimmer’s ear.

otitis media—inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacterial infection.

otoacoustic emission (OAE)—test of cochlear function, measurable sound produced by outer hair cells of the cochlea during hearing process.

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

otologist (neurotologist)—sub-specialist in diseases of the ear.

otosclerosis—disorder causing conductive hearing loss, abnormal bone growth that prevents vibration of stapes.

ototoxic drugs—medications that can damage the inner ear.

outer ear—external or outer most portion of the ear including the pinna and ear canal.

perilymph fistula—leakage of inner ear fluid to the middle ear, associated with head trauma, physical exertion, or barotrauma.

postlingually deafened—deafened after having learned language.

prednisone—anti-inflammatory steroid medication used for recent hearing loss, vertigo, or facial paralysis.

prelingually deafened—deafened before learning language.

presbycusis—hearing loss of aging.

round window—opening covered by a membrane that separates the middle ear and inner ear.

sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)—hearing loss of the cochlea or the hearing nerve, also called nerve deafness.

sign language—language of hand shapes and movements, facial expressions, and body posture.

steroid—medication prescribed to reduce inflammation, hyperactive immune response, and cell death; as in sudden deafness and Bell’s palsy.

stroke—sudden loss of consciousness, sensation, or movement caused by blood vessel obstruction or bleeding in the brain.

sudden deafness—hearing loss that occurs within three days, usually of unknown origin but may be caused by Ménière’s disease, viral infection, tumors, or ototoxic drugs.

syndromic deafness—congenital deafness associated with other abnormalities such as kidney, eye, or finger anomalies.

tinnitus—sensation of hearing ringing, buzzing, whooshing, etc., without a corresponding external source.

tympanic membrane—eardrum.

tympanometry—ear test of movement of the eardrum, pressure, and volume of the ear canal and middle ear.

tympanoplasty—surgical repair of the eardrum or bones of the middle ear.

vertigo—hallucination of motion, often described as spinning.

vestibular neuronitis—viral infection at the vestibular nerve that causes vertigo.

vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)—slow-growing benign tumor of the balance nerve that causes hearing loss, tinnitus, and imbalance.

vestibular system—part of the inner ear that is responsible for balance and posture, also called the labyrinth due to its complex structure; abnormalities within it cause vertigo.



If you find an error or have any questions, please email us at admin@doctorlib.info. Thank you!