Audiologist: A hearing healthcare professional who holds a graduate degree and professional certification from an accrediting body for the assessment and management of hearing impairment.
Audiogram: A graphic record depicting the results of hearing tests with an audiometer. The graph demonstrates the range of hearing at various frequency levels (speed of sound wave vibrations) against sound intensity levels (loudness) in decibels.
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): An electroacoustical diagnostic hearing test for children or adults who are difficult to test. Electrodes are used to evaluate the neurotransmission of auditory stimuli.
Cochlea: The cochlea contains the organ of hearing. Located within the inner ear, the cochlea resembles a snail’s shell and consists of a bony spiral canal divided into three separate channels. The middle ear converts acoustic signals (energy) to mechanical energy and transmits these signals to the cochlea. The cochlea converts the mechanical energy to electrical signals, which are ultimately transmitted to the fibers of the auditory nerve. Patients with severe to profound sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss most commonly suffer from a lack of sensory hair cells within the cochlea, hence the loss of signal transmission to the auditory nerve fibers.
Cochlear Implant: A cochlear implant is a computerized device designed to provide sound perception to patients with neural (nerve cell) hearing loss, most commonly due to the absence of sensory hair cells within the cochlea. The cochlear implant bypasses the damaged organ of hearing (cochlea) and stimulates the auditory nerve directly.
Inner Ear: The inner ear contains the sensory system for hearing and balance. It includes the semi-circular canals, vestibule, and cochlea.
Middle Ear Analysis/Tympanometry: Middle ear analysis is performed to assess the status of the middle ear systems. Tympanometry measures pressure changes in the ear canal while sound transmission is monitored and plotted. Acoustic reflex measurements monitor muscle reflex function.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE): Sound generated by energy produced by the outer hair cells in the cochlea and detected with a microphone placed within the external auditory canal. It is a useful technique for determining cochlear function and may be included as part of a diagnostic test battery.
Otolaryngology Evaluation: Following the initial testing stage, the child is referred to our cochlear implant surgeon, Daniel S. Samadi M.D. for a complete head and neck examination. All audiology, medical, and genetic histories are reviewed during this consultation.
Types of Hearing Loss:
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Impairment unit of hearing due to interference of sound transmission in the outer or middle ear.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Impairment of hearing caused by damage to the sensory mechanism of the inner ear.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: Hearing loss resulting from the impairment of a combination of conductive and sensorineural mechanisms.
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening: A screening program adopted by many states since the 1993 National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus statement recommending that all newborns (those who are healthy and at risk) have their hearing screened to promote early identification of hearing loss.
