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TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
A non-invasive test that measures responses in the brain waves to auditory stimulus. This test can indicate whether or not sound is being detected, even in an infant. This test may also be referred to as BAER, BSEP, and BSER. ALGO 2 automated ABR screening device used in many hospitals for universal newborn hearing screening.
Pertaining to sound, the sense of hearing or the science of sound. Often used to refer to the quality of the sound environment.
Hearing loss, which is not present at birth. Sometimes referred to as adventitious loss.
This term refers to the role parents or guardians play in developing and monitoring their child's educational program. Advocating for your child means knowing what rights are assured you by the law and actively participating in the decision-making process to ensure that the services are delivered in line with your goals for your child's development and education.
Background noise, which competes with the main speech signal.
The use of hearing aids and other electronic devices to increase the loudness of a sound so that it may be more easily received and understood.
Devices and systems which are available to help deaf and hard of hearing people improve communication, adapt to their environment, and function in society more effectively.
Refers to voice quality that lacks traditional musical tonality or harmonics.
Like the ABR, the ASSR is a measure of the brainstem’s responses to particular auditory stimuli. This non-invasive, painless test is also administered while the child is sleeping. ASSR technology offers the audiologist an additional way to determine your child’s hearing across different frequencies. The equipment has higher upper limits than traditional ABR equipment, thus allowing the audiologist to more accurately differentiate between severe and profound hearing loss in infants.
A graph on which a person's ability to hear different pitches (frequencies) at different volumes (intensities) of sound is recorded.
A hearing test comprised of identifying pure-tone thresholds, impedance testing, middle ear function, speech recognition, and speech discrimination measurements, which shows the type and degree of hearing loss. The test can also assess how well the child is hearing with amplification.
A professional who treats and supports persons with hearing loss or balance disorders. New graduates in audiology are required to have their Doctorate in Audiology. Audiologists may be certified by ASHA, AAA, or ABA.
The process of training a person's residual hearing in the awareness, identification, and interpretation of sound. Usually works with speech language therapist or Audiologist.
Training designed to help a person with hearing loss make productive use of residual hearing. Sometimes includes training in speech reading.
An audiologist assesses a young child's behavioral response to sound by observation.
Belonging to both a hearing/English language culture and Deaf Community/ASL culture
A mild to profound hearing loss in both ears.
Hearing aids worn on both ears.
An amplification unit that is worn on the body provides increased gain (power) and less feedback for individuals with a severe hearing loss. Primarily used only in special situations where ear-level hearing aids cannot be used.
Sound received through the bones of the skull.
ased on his/her date of birth. It is referred to when comparing him or her to other children born at that same time. If a baby was born prematurely, however, his/her development may be measured at his/her adjusted age. Adjusted age takes into account the time between premature birth and the actual due date of a full term pregnancy Doing this gives a truer reflection of what the baby's developmental progress should be.
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that is surgically implanted in the cochlea of the inner ear. It transmits auditory information directly to the brain, by-passing damaged or absent auditory nerves. Technically, it synthesizes hearing of all sounds, but the wearer requires training to attach meaning to the sounds. This is called auditory "habilitation", or "re-habilitation". Typically, cochlear implant users have severe to profound hearing losses and do not get much benefit from hearing aids. Successful CI users gain useful hearing and improved communication abilities. The FDA has approved CIs for adults and children who are profoundly deaf at age 12 months, and for those with severe hearing loss at age 24 months.
Refers to the ability to think, learn and remember.
In play audiometry the audiologist helps the child understand the rules for playing a game. For example, when the child is presented with a sound he or she is to drop a block into a container, indicating that the sound was heard. Play audiometry is generally used when the child is at least 18 months old.
Impairment of hearing due to failure of sound waves to reach the inner ear through the normal air conduction channels of the outer and middle ear. In children, conductive loss is typically medically correctable, and is most often associated with Otitis Media.
Hearing loss present at birth or associated with the birth process, or which develops in the first few days of life.
Medically and clinically speaking, a hearing loss which is so severe that the child is unable to process linguistic information through hearing alone. Socially when used with a capital letter "D," Deaf refers to the cultural heritage and community of deaf individuals, i.e., the Deaf culture or community. In this context, it applies to those whose primary receptive channel of communication is visual.
A group of people who share common interests and a common heritage. Their mode of communication is American Sign Language (ASL). The Deaf community is comprised of individuals, both deaf and hearing, who respond with varying intensity to particular community goals which derive from Deaf cultural influences. The Deaf community in the United States may have a wide range of perspectives on issues, but emphasis remains on Deafness as a positive state of being.
A view of life manifested by the mores, beliefs, artistic expression, understanding and language (ASL) particular to Deaf people. A capital "D" is often used in the word Deaf when it refers to community or cultural aspects of Deafness.
Educationally significant combined loss of vision and hearing.
The unit of measurement for the loudness of a sound. The higher the dB, the louder the sound and the worse the hearing loss.
An electronic device or computer chip that can display closed captions encoded in television programs or videocassettes. Also called a telecaption adapter.
A custom made plastic or vinyl piece which fits into the outer ear to connect with a hearing aid.
A person who is able to perform conventional interpreting, together with special skills for working in the educational environment.
A child must be determined eligible for special education services based on specific disabling conditions and an exhibited delay (see Part B & Part C) in one or more of the following areas: cognitive ability, motor skills, social/adaptive behavior, perceptual skills, and / or communication skills.
A medical doctor, who specializes in the ears, nose and throat. Sometimes referred to as an otolaryngologist, otologist.
Finger spelling is a standardized series of handshapes to form word. Each letter has its own particular shape. Usually it is used when there is no sign for a particular word.
An assistive listening device worn by the speaker to amplify his/her voice and transmit it directly to the listener's ears via an electronic receiver and special earphones or the listener's own hearing aids. The device reduces the problem of background noise interference and the problem of distance between speaker and hearing-impaired listener.
The number of vibrations per second of a sound. Frequency, expressed in Hertz (Hz), determines the pitch of the sound.
The range that describes how well the amplification is performing mg. For example, a child with unaided hearing at 70 dB who, when amplified, hears at 30dB, is experiencing a gain of 40 dB.
Provides genetic diagnosis and counseling for individuals with birth defect/genetic disorders, which may involve hearing loss and genetic counseling including recurrence risk information for individuals with hearing loss and their families.
1.) A hearing loss, whether permanent or fluctuating, which adversely affects an individual's ability to detect and decipher some sounds. 2) The term preferred over "hearing impaired" by the Deaf and hard of hearing community to refer to individuals who have hearing loss, but also have and use residual hearing.
Audiometric testing of the ability to hear selected frequencies at intensities above normal hearing. The purpose is to identify individuals with hearing loss, with minimal time expenditure, and to refer them for further testing.
An electronic device that conducts and amplifies sound to the ear.
Applies to those who are acoustically disabled auditorially deficient for whom the primary receptive channel of communication is, even with deficits, hearing.
The following hearing levels are typically characterized as follows:
Normal Hearing
Mild Loss
Moderate
Moderate/Severe
Severe Loss
Profound |
0 dB to 15 dB
16 dB to 35 dB
36 dB to 50 dB
51 dB to 70 dB
71 dB to 90 dB
91 dB or more |
The brand name of a plastic-ringed device designed to "hug" the hearing aid to the ear. Popular for infants and toddlers whose ears may be too small to hold the hearing aid snugly in place.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Public Law 108-446;formerly known as Public Law PL 105-17; 101-476, PL 94-142 and PL 99- 457. Part C (See “Part C”) provides services to children birth to three years of age with disabilities. Part B of IDEA covers educational mandates for students age three through high school graduation or age-out of the system.
Often used synonymously with the term "mainstreaming," this term refers to the concept that students with disabilities should be integrated and included to the maximum extent possible with their (typically developing) peers in the educational setting.
The IFSP addresses 1) The family's strengths, needs, concerns and priorities; 2) identifies support services available to meet those needs; and 3) empowers the family to meet the developmental needs of their infant or toddler with a disability. The IFSP is a written plan developed by parents or guardians with input from a multi disciplinary team. (Reference part C.)
A team-developed, written program, which identifies therapeutic and educational goals and objectives, needed to appropriately address the educational needs of a school-aged student with a disability. An IEP for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing must be accompanied by that child’s Communication Plan, and must take into account such factors as 1) communication needs and the child's and family's preferred mode of communication 2) linguistic needs; 3) severity of hearing loss; 4) academic progress; 5) social/ emotional needs, including opportunities for peer interactions and communication; and 6) appropriate accommodations and assistive communication devices to facilitate learning; 7) opportunities for interaction with peers and adults using the child’s same communication mode; 8) the proficiency of the staff delivering identified services on the IEP and opportunities for direct instruction in the child’s communication mode: 9) all educational placement options, and 10) how the extra-curricular activities will be made communication-accessible.
The loudness of a sound, measured in decibels (dB).
A person who facilitates communication between hearing and deaf or hard of hearing persons through interpretation into a signed language, or transliteration of a language into a visual and/or phonemic code by an oral interpreter, a signed language interpreter or cued speech interpreter.
The aspect of speech made up of changes in stress and pitch in the voice.
A basic principle of Public Law 101-476 (IDEA) which requires public agencies to establish procedures to ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
Educational placement of students with disabilities into typical, general education classrooms, for some or all parts of the school day, based on the student’s IEP. This placement decision may be rooted in the philosophy that all children with “disabilities” should be integrated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent possible, when appropriate to the needs of the child with a disability. Mainstreaming is one point on a continuum of educational options. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "inclusion."
The use of one hearing aid instead of two.
A linguistic unit of relatively stable meaning that cannot be divided into smaller meaningful parts.
Qualified persons representing two or more disciplines or professions, i.e.; a speech therapist and an audiologist make this assessment and evaluation of the child. The child's development is evaluated to determine if there are any delays or conditions that would indicate the need for special services.
The language of the home, i.e. the native language of children who are deaf with deaf parents is often American Sign Language.
An unspecific term that is sometimes used when referring to individuals with hearing loss and deafness who talk but don't necessarily use sign language. Emphasis is placed on use of residual hearing, lip reading and contextual cues to communicate using spoken language.
A middle ear infection. Children with recurring episodes may experience fluctuating hearing loss and may be at risk for speech/ language delays. Fluid can be present with or without infection and may cause temporary hearing loss, which can evolve into permanent loss.
A passive audiological test that verifies cochlear activity, often is used in testing infants suspected of hearing loss. A probe is placed in the ear canal for this measurement of sensorineural deafness.
A physician who specializes in medical problems of the ear.
Refers to how much amplification is being put out by a hearing aid
A program of family-centered education and infant intervention which stresses early exposure to language and attention to developmental processes which enhance the learning language.
Part C is the section of Public Law PL 105-17 (I.D.E.A.) that refers to early intervention services available to eligible children from birth through two years of age and their families.
Part B is the section of Public Law PL 105-17 (I.D.E.A.) that refers to early intervention services available to eligible children aged three through twenty-one in the public schools.
Refers to hearing loss acquired while learning a first language.
Refers to hearing loss acquired after learning a first language.
Refers to hearing loss, which is congenital or acquired before acquisition of language
An audiological test that measures the actual output of the hearing aid in the ear canal. This test uses a “probe-microphone” that is placed into the ear canal along with the hearing aid and ear mold fitted in place. It assesses how effectively sound is actually being amplified by the hearing aids in the ear. It is considered a very important measurement because everyone's ear canals are shaped differently and this will effect how a hearing aid functions.
Relay Telephone Service/Relay Network. A service which involves an operator “relaying” conversation between a TDD/TTY user (generally a person with a hearing loss and/or speech impairment) and a hearing/speaking individual using an ordinary, non-adapted phone.
The amount of usable hearing that a person with hearing loss has.
The use of language in meaningful referents, both in word and sentence structures.
A type of hearing impairment caused by damage that occurs to the inner ear (cochlea) and/ or nerve of hearing. Sensorineural damage is usually irreversible.
An assistive listening device which includes a microphone worn by the speaker to transmit an amplified signal through strategically placed speakers, usually in a classroom.
This is the faintest level at which an individual identifies 50% of the simple spoken words presented and repeats them correctly.
A professional who works with individuals who have specific needs in the areas of speech and language.
This is the faintest level at which an individual identifies 50% of the spoken words presented and points to pictures or repeats them correctly.
The ability to be understood when using speech.
On an audiological graph measured in decibels and frequencies, the area wherein most conversational sounds of spoken language occur. Sometimes called the "speech banana" because of the shape this area depicts on the graph. The purpose of wearing hearing aids is to amplify sound into this zone.
The interpretation of lip and mouth movements, facial expressions, gestures, prosodic and melodic aspects of speech, structural characteristics of language, and topical and contextual clues.
Defines the word classes of language, i.e., nouns, verbs, etc..and the rules for their combination, i.e., which words can be combined and in what order.
A type of assistive communication device that emits a vibration or "tactile" signal to indicate the presence of sound(s). It is worn on the body and triggers the sense of touch or feeling to draw attention to information that cannot be heard by the individual with hearing loss.
Originally and often still called TTY’s, these electronic devices allow the deaf and hard of hearing to communicate via a text telephone system. This term appears in ADA regulations and legislation.
A pressure or "impedance" test that tells how the ear canal, eardrum, eustachian tube, and middle ear bones are working. It is not a hearing test.
A mild to profound hearing loss in one ear.
Video Relay Service (VRS) is a communication technology where the deaf and hearing consumers are in different locations and are linked through an interpreter provided through a relay center. Users of VRS must have equipment that allows them to send their image to the Relay Center. Once connected, a deaf caller can simply sign a message to the sign language interpreter, who conveys it to the person called. That person, in turn, can reply and the interpreter will transmit the message in sign language back to the deaf caller.
A method of assessment in which the child is conditioned to look at a toy that lights each time he or she hears a sound; used with young children.
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