Acoustic neuroma
– this condition is caused by a non-cancerous tumour growing on the vestibular nerve, which connects the brain to the ear
Audiologist
– a specialist in hearing and related areas such as balance
Bone conduction test
– tests how well a person can hear vibrations through nerves, using a bone oscillator tool
Chronic suppurative otitis media
– similar to ‘glue ear’, this is caused by several episodes of fluid in the middle ear, which leads to permanent eardrum damage and hearing loss
Cochlea
– part of the inner ear that plays a crucial part in hearing; it receives vibrations which then causes movement that turns vibrations into messages for the brain
Cochlear implant
– a device that is surgically placed in the head of a person with profound hearing loss due to a damaged ear. It is electronic, and its main function is to send sound messages to the brain
Decibels
– the way that the level or intensity of sound is measured
Ear wax build up
– ear wax is naturally produced in the ear and performs a protective and cleaning role. Wax that builds up can block the ear, causing temporary hearing loss
Exostosis
– a condition that causes exostoses (swelling of the bone) in the ear canal, which narrows the ear canal and leads to hearing loss. Usually caused by really cold water getting into the ears frequently
Hearing aid
– an electronic, medical device with sophisticated technology that is used by people with sensorineural hearing loss
Meniere’s disease
– a condition where the fluid within the inner ear is disrupted, causing dizzy spells and hearing problems
Myringotomy
– a fairly minor surgical procedure that cuts into the eardrum, removes fluid and, if necessary, inserts grommets
Ossicles
– the set of three bones within the ear, which send sounds to the cochlea
Otitis externa
– usually caused by an infection, allergy, damage or skin condition that leads to inflammation of the outer ear canal
Otitis media with effusion or ‘glue ear’
– temporary hearing loss, usually experienced by children. Caused by fluid being trapped in the middle ear, which can rectify itself or which can be rectified by minor surgery to insert grommets
Ossicle damage
– the ossicles are little bones within the middle section of the ear, which can be damaged by infection or injury, and which leads to hearing loss
Otosclerosis
– a condition that causes bone to grow abnormally around the ossicles in the ear, causing hearing loss
Perforated eardrum
– a problem that causes temporary loss of hearing and which can be treated fairly successfully. Caused by infection or injury to the ear, which makes the delicate eardrum break
Pure tone audiometry
– tests hearing ability by the level of intensity and tone
Stapes surgery
– minor surgical operation to treat otosclerosis, which involves removing the stape (a bone in the middle ear). The bone is usually replaced with a steel prosthesis
Tinnitus
– strange noises in the ears, e.g. buzzing, which can affect hearing
Translabyrinthine surgery
– surgical procedure that removes acoustic neuroma (tumour) within the ear
Tuning fork test
– a traditional hearing test that involves using a tuning fork, striking it and placing it behind the ear to assess if and when you hear the sound
Tympanoplasty
– a surgical procedure that repairs the eardrum, ossicles or removes infection from the back of the ear
Usher syndrome
– a rare, inherited disorder causing hearing loss and sight loss