I.D.E.A.- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (formerly PL 94-142). The American law guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education for disabled students.

I.E.P.- Individualized Education Plan. A key component of the I.D.E.A. The I.E.P. is developed by the parents and the Committee on Special Education.

I.T.E.- A hearing instrument which is custom molded to fit entirely within the ear.

Inclusion- An educational philosophy promoting the mixing of students with disabilities into the general student population. It is assumed that appropriate support services will be provided in these inclusive placements.

Independent Living- A movement in the United States promoting independence for people with disabilities through reasonable public accommodation.

Induction Loop- A loop of wire that emits an electromagnetic signal that can be picked up by a hearing instrument's telecoil. Used in meeting rooms, homes and automobiles.

Itinerant services- Educational and rehabilitative services provided on a periodic basis by a consulting professional.

Lombard Effect- The tendency for a person with normal hearing to raise their voice in response to increasing background noise.

Loudness Perception- How the brain interprets the intensity of sounds.

M.R.I.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A very detailed x-ray that looks at soft tissues like nerves.

Mainstream- An educational placement in which a Deaf or hard of hearing child is enrolled in a local school and receives support services within a classroom with hearing students.

Malingering- Fabricating or exaggerating an ailment.

Maternal- Of or pertaining to the mother.

Meningitis- An inflammation of the spinal fluid. It causes very high fevers which can destroy the cochlea, causing permanent sensorineural hearing loss.

Middle Ear- The air-filled space inside the eardrum containing the ossicles (ear bones) and the Eustachian Tube.

Mild Hearing Loss- Hearing loss averaging not more than 40 dB.

Mixed Hearing Loss- A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.