Acoustic Reflex- The temporary contraction of the middle ear muscles in response to a loud sound.
Acoustics- The study of how sound reacts to the environment. This includes the concepts of loudness, pitch, resonance and reverberation.
Acquired Hearing Loss- Hearing loss which occurs after birth.
Air Conduction- Sounds heard through the air, which pass tough all three parts of the ear.
American Sign Language- A visual-gestural language used by the majority of Deaf individuals in the United States.
Americans with Disabilities Act- Signed into law in 1990, this is the "civil rights act" for the disabled. The ADA requires public services and buildings to make reasonable accommodations to allow access to persons with disabilities.
Aminoglycosydes- A group of antibiotics which are known to cause hearing and balance loss. They include Streptomycin, Vancomycin, Gentamycin and others.
APGAR- A rating scale used to assess the overall health of a child at birth. The scale is taken twice and averaged. Low APGAR scores place a child at increased risk for hearing loss and other health problems.
Assistive Listening System- A system that improves hearing in noisy situations by placing a microphone very close to the speaker's mouth. The signal is sent to a receiver connected to the listener's hearing instruments. Types include hard wire, FM and Infrared.
Audiogram- A graph of hearing sensitivity. Frequency is plotted from left to right (bass to treble). Hearing Level is plotted from top to bottom (soft to loud).
Audiometer- A machine used by an audiologist to measure hearing.
Audition- The act of hearing sounds.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)- A special hearing test that measures nerve impulses in the hearing nerve and brainstem. Types of ABR testing include click, tone burst and bone conduction.
Auditory Deprivation- The concept that ears with hearing loss will "forget" how to process sound if they are not stimulated using hearing instruments or cochlear implants.
Auditory-Oral Approach- A communication method emphasizing maximizing residual hearing to teach the child to hear and speak.
Auditory Nerve- A portion of the eighth cranial nerve that carries nerve impulses from the inner ear (cochlea) to the brain.
Auditory Trainer- An older term for Assistive Listening Systems used in schools or during speech or listening therapy.
Auditory Verbal Approach- A communication method emphasizing maximizing residual hearing to teach the child to hear and speak.
Battery- The power supply of a hearing instrument.
Behavior Modification- A program of applying and withholding rewards to change unacceptable behavior, while reinforcing acceptable behavior.
Behavioral Audiometry- Measuring hearing by observing the child's responses, or behavior, in response to test signals.
Bone Conduction- Hearing measured by sending signals through the bone, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response - see ABR
B.T.E.- A hearing instrument worn behind the ear. It is connected to an earmold, which fits into the ear.
Central Auditory Processing Disorder- A weakness, or developmental delay in understanding, sequencing and remembering what is heard.
Chronological Age- The child's actual age from birth.
Clear Speech- A method of speaking clearly and distinctly to aid in communicating with a person using a hearing instrument.
Cochlea- The inner ear organ that converts sound vibrations to nerve impulses.
Cochlear Implant- A surgically implanted device that converts sounds into electrical signals delivered to the auditory nerve.
Conductive Hearing Loss- Hearing loss resulting from a blockage of the outer ear or reduced movement of the inner ear.
Congenital Hearing Loss- Hearing loss which is present at or shortly after birth.
Continuous Flow Adapter (CFA) - A special earmold tubing which precisely controls the acoustic characteristics of the earmold.
CT Scan- A special, very detailed X-ray used to determine of a child's cochlea is open, or filled with bone.
Cued Speech- A communication method using 8 handshapes in 4 positions to make the sounds of speech visible.
D/deaf- A concept signifying the cultural identity many Deaf people feel. Those using sign language and feeling alliance to the Deaf community will use a capital 'D' when describing themselves. Those who see deafness simply as a description of hearing ability will use a lowercase 'd' to describe themselves.
Deaf Community- The group of hearing and Deaf people who use and promote Sign Language and who have common goals and values.
Deaf Culture- The culture of the Deaf, based on Sign Language and a common heritage.
Decibel- The unit used when measuring sound intensity. Usually abbreviated as dB.
Developmental Age- The age of a child corrected to indicate their function in language, motor skills, and intelligence, as compared to other children.
Disability- The currently accepted term for a person with reduced function of some sense or mental process. Replaces the term handicap.
Due Process- The process available to parents who wish to challenge the proposed plan of the Committee on Special Education.