Glossarymedical terms relatedcommunications disorders
This isglossarymedical terms relatedcommunications disorders such as blindnessdeafness.A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Acoustic neurinoma - tumor, usually benign, which may develop onhearingbalance nervescan cause gradual hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or dizziness. (sometimes called vestibular schwannoma). Also see Neurofibromatosis Type 2.Acquired deafness - losshearing that occurs or develops some time duringlifespan butnot present at birth.
Aguesia - loss ofsensetaste.
Albinism - lacknormal pigment inskin, eyes,hair.
Alport syndrome - hereditary condition characterized by kidney disease, sensorineural hearing loss,sometimes eye defects.
American Sign Language (ASL) - manual languageits own syntaxgrammar, used primarily by people whodeaf.
Anosmia - absence ofsensesmell.
Aphasia - total or partial loss ofabilityuse or understand language; usually caused by stroke, brain disease, or injury.
Aphonia - complete lossvoice.
Apraxia - inabilityexecutevoluntary movement despite being abledemonstrate normal muscle function.
Articulation disorder - inabilitycorrectly produce speech sounds (phonemes) becauseimprecise placement, timing, pressure, speed, or flowmovement oflips, tongue, or throat.
Assistive devices - technical toolsdevices such as alphabet boards, text telephones, or text-to-speech conversion software usedaid individuals who have communication disorders perform actions, tasks,activities.
Audiologist - health care professional whotrainedevaluate hearing lossrelated disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorderstinnitus, andrehabilitate individualshearing lossrelated disorders. An audiologist usesvarietytestsproceduresassess hearingbalance function andfitdispense hearing aidsother assistive deviceshearing.
Auditory Brainstem Response test (ABR test) -testbrain functioningcomatose, unresponsive, etc., patients,for hearinginfantsyoung children; involves attaching electrodes toheadrecord electrical activity fromhearing nerveother parts ofbrain.
Auditory nerve - eighth cranial nerve that connectsinner ear tobrainstemis responsiblehearingbalance.
Auditory perception - abilityidentify, interpret,attach meaningsound.
Auditory prosthesis - device that substitutes or enhancesabilityhear.
Augmentative devices - tools that help individualslimited or absent speechcommunicate, such as communication boards, pictographs (symbols that look likethingsrepresent), or ideographs (symbols representing ideas).
Aural rehabilitation - techniques usedpeople whohearing impairedimprove their abilityspeakcommunicate.
Autoimmune deafness - individual's immune system produces abnormal antibodies that react againstbody's healthy tissues.
Autism - brain disorder that beginsearly childhoodpersists throughout adulthood; affects three crucial areasdevelopment: communication, social interaction,creative or imaginative play.
B
Balance - biological system that enables individualsknow where their bodiesinenvironment andmaintaindesired position. Normal balance depends on information fromlabyrinth ininner ear, from other senses such as sighttouch,from muscle movement.
Balance disorder - disruption inlabyrinth,inner ear organ that controlsbalance system, which allows individualsknow where their bodiesinenvironment. The labyrinth worksother systems inbody, such asvisualskeletal systems,maintain posture.
Barotrauma - injury tomiddle ear caused byreductionair pressure.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - balance disorder that resultssudden onsetdizziness, spinning, or vertigo when movinghead.
Brainstem implant - auditory prosthesis that bypassescochleaauditory nerve. This typeimplant helps individuals who cannot benefit fromcochlear implant becauseauditory nervesnot working.
C
Captioning - text displayspoken words, presented ontelevision ormovie screen, that allowsdeaf or hard-of-hearing viewerfollowdialogue andaction ofprogram simultaneously.
Central auditory processing disorder - inabilitydifferentiate, recognize, or understand sounds; hearingintelligencenormal.
Chemosensory disorders - diseases or problems associated withsensesmell orsensetaste.
Cholesteatoma - accumulationdead cells inmiddle ear, caused by repeated middle ear infections.
Cochlea - snail-shaped structure ininner ear that containsorganhearing.
Cochlear implant - medical device that bypasses damaged structures ininner eardirectly stimulatesauditory nerve, allowing some deaf individualslearnhearinterpret soundsspeech.
Cognition - thinking skills that include perception, memory, awareness, reasoning, judgment, intellect,imagination.
Conductive hearing impairment - hearing loss caused by dysfunction ofouter or middle ear.
Cued speech - methodcommunication that combines speech reading withsystemhandshapes placed nearmouthhelp deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals differentiate words that look similar onlips (e.g., bunch vs. punch) orhidden (e.g., gag).
Cytomegalovirus (Congenital) - one groupherpes viruses that infects humanscan causevarietyclinical symptoms, including deafness or hearing impairment; infection withvirus may be either before or after birth.
D
Decibel - unit that measuresintensity or loudnesssound.
Dizziness - physical unsteadiness, imbalance,lightheadedness associatedbalance disorders.
Dysarthria - groupspeech disorders caused by disturbances instrength or coordination ofmuscles ofspeech mechanism asresultdamage tobrain or nerves.
Dysequilibrium - any disturbancebalance.
Dysfluency - disruption insmooth flow or expressionspeech.
Dysgeusia - distortion or absence ofsensetaste.
Dyslexia - learning disability characterized by reading difficulties. Some individuals may also have difficulty writing, spelling, or workingnumbers.
Dysosmia - distortion or absence ofsensesmell.
Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing.
Dysphonia - any impairment ofvoice or speaking ability.
Dyspraxiaspeech -individualsnormal muscle tonespeech muscle coordination, partial loss ofabilityconsistently pronounce words.
Dystonia - abnormal muscle toneone or more muscles.
E
Ear infection - presencegrowthbacteria or viruses inear.
Ear wax - yellow secretion from glands inouter ear (cerumen) that keepsskin ofear dryprotected from infection.
Endolymph - fluid inlabyrinth (the organbalance located ininner ear that consiststhree semicircular canals andvestibule).
F
G
Gustation - act or sensationtasting.H
Hair cells - sensory cells ofinner ear, whichtoppedhair-like structures,stereocilia,which transformmechanical energysound waves into nerve impulses.
Haptic sense - sensephysical contact or touch.
Haptometer - instrumentmeasuring sensitivitytouch.
Hearing - serieseventswhich sound waves inairconvertedelectrical signals, whichsent as nerve impulses tobrain, where theyinterpreted.
Hearing aid - electronic device that brings amplified sound toear. A hearing aid usually consists ofmicrophone, amplifier,receiver.
Hearing disorder - disruption innormal hearing process that may occurouter, middle, or inner ear, whereby sound wavesnot conducted toinner ear, convertedelectrical signals and/or nerve impulsesnot transmitted tobrainbe interpreted.
Hereditary hearing impairment - hearing loss passed down through generations offamily.
Hoarseness - abnormally rough or harsh-sounding voice caused by vocal abuseother disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux, thyroid problems, or trauma tolarynx (voice box).
Hypogeusia - diminished sensitivitytaste.
Hyposmia - diminished sensitivitysmell.
I
Inner ear - part ofear that contains bothorganhearing (the cochlea) andorganbalance (the labyrinth).
J
K
Kallmann's syndrome - disorder that can include several characteristics such as absence ofsensesmelldecreased functional activity ofgonads (organs that produce sex cells), affecting growthsexual development.
L
Labyrinth - organbalance located ininner ear. The labyrinth consiststhree semicircular canals andvestibule.
Labyrinthine hydrops - excessive fluid inorganbalance (labyrinth); can cause pressure or fullness inears, hearing loss, dizziness,lossbalance.
Labyrinthitis - viral or bacterial infection or inflammation ofinner ear that can cause dizziness, lossbalance,temporary hearing loss.
Landau-Kleffner syndrome - childhood disorderunknown origin which often extends into adulthoodcan be identified by gradual or sudden loss ofabilityunderstanduse spoken language.
Language - systemcommunicating ideasfeelings using sounds, gestures, signs, or marks.
Language disorders - any ofnumberproblemsverbal communication andabilityuse or understandsymbol systemcommunication.
Laryngeal neoplasms - abnormal growths inlarynx (voice box) that can be cancerous or noncancerous.
Laryngeal nodules - noncancerous, callous-like growths oninner parts ofvocal folds (vocal cords); usually caused by vocal abuse or misuse.
Laryngeal paralysis - lossfunction or feelingone or both ofvocal folds caused by injury or disease tonerves oflarynx.
Laryngectomy - surgeryremove part or all oflarynx (voice box).
Laryngitis - hoarse voice orcomplete loss ofvoice becauseirritation tovocal folds (vocal cords).
Larynx - valve structure betweentrachea (windpipe) andpharynx (the upper throat) that isprimary organvoice production.
Learning disabilities - childhood disorders characterized by difficultycertain skills such as reading or writingindividualsnormal intelligence.
M
Mastoid - back portion oftemporal bone that containsinner ear.
Mastoid surgery - surgical procedureremove infection frommastoid bone.
Meige syndrome - movement disorder that can involve excessive eye blinking (blepharospasm)involuntary movements ofjaw muscles, lips,tongue (oromandibular dystonia).
Ménière's disease - inner ear disorder that can affect both hearingbalance. It can cause episodesvertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, andsensationfullness inear.
Meningitis - inflammation ofmeninges,membranes that envelopbrain andspinal cord; may cause hearing loss or deafness.
Middle ear - part ofear that includeseardrumthree tiny bones ofmiddle ear, ending atround window that leads toinner ear.
Misarticulation - inaccurately produced speech sound (phoneme) or sounds.
Motion sickness - dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting,generalized discomfort experienced when an individualin motion.
Motor speech disorders - groupdisorders caused byinabilityaccurately produce speech sounds (phonemes) becausemuscle weakness or incoordination or difficulty performing voluntary muscle movements.
N
Neural plasticity - ability ofbrain and/or certain parts ofnervous systemadaptnew conditions, such as an injury.
Neural prostheses - devices that substitutean injured or diseased part ofnervous system, such ascochlear implant.
Neural stimulation -activate or energizenerve through an external source.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1 von Recklinghausen's) - groupinherited disorderswhich noncancerous tumors grow on several nerves that may includehearing nerve. The symptomsNF-1 include coffee-colored spots onskin, enlargement, deformationbones,neurofibromas.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF-2) - groupinherited disorderswhich noncancerous tumors grow on several nerves that usually includehearing nerve. The symptomsNF-2 include tumors onhearing nerve which can affect hearingbalance. NF-2 may occur inteenage yearshearing loss. Also see acoustic neurinoma.
Neurogenic communication disorder - inabilityexchange informationothers becausehearing, speech, and/or language problems caused by impairment ofnervous system (brain or nerves).
Noise-induced hearing loss - hearing loss caused by exposureharmful sounds, either very loud impulse sound(s) or repeated exposuresounds over 90-decibel level over an extended periodtime that damagesensitive structures ofinner ear.
Nonsyndromic hereditary hearing impairment - hearing loss or deafness thatinheritedis not associatedother inherited clinical characteristics.
O
Odorant - substance that stimulatessensesmell.
Olfaction -actsmelling.
Olfactometer - deviceestimatingintensity ofsensesmell.
Open-set speech recognition - understanding speech without visual clues (speech reading).
Otitis externa - inflammation ofouter part ofear extending toauditory canal.
Otitis media - inflammation ofmiddle ear caused by infection.
Otoacoustic emissions - low-intensity sounds produced byinner ear that can be quickly measured withsensitive microphone placed inear canal.
Otolaryngologist - physician/surgeon who specializesdiseases ofears, nose, throat,headneck.
Otologist - physician/surgeon who specializesdiseases ofear.
Otosclerosis - abnormal growthbone ofinner ear. This bone prevents structures withinear from working properlycauses hearing loss. For some peopleotosclerosis,hearing loss may become severe.
Ototoxic drugs - drugs such asspecial classantibiotics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, that can damagehearingbalance organs located ininner earsome individuals.
Outer ear - external portion ofear, consisting ofpinna, or auricle, andear canal.
P
Papillomavirus - groupviruses that can cause noncancerous wart-like tumorsgrow onsurfaceskininternal organs such asrespiratory tract; can be life-threatening.
Parosmia - any disease or perversion ofsensesmell, especiallysubjective perceptionodors that do not exist.
Perception (Hearing) - processknowing or being awareinformation throughear.
Perilymph fistula - leakageinner ear fluid tomiddle ear that occurs without apparent cause or thatassociatedhead trauma, physical exertion, or barotrauma.
Pervasive developmental disorders - disorders characterized by delaysseveral areasdevelopment that may include socializationcommunication.
Pheromones - chemical substances secreted by an animal that elicitspecific behavioral or physiological responseanother animal ofsame species.
Phonology - studyspeech sounds.
Postlingually deafened - individual who becomes deaf after having acquired language.
Prelingually deafened - individual whoeither born deaf or who lost his or her hearing earlychildhood, before acquiring language.
Presbycusis - losshearing that gradually occurs becausechanges ininner or middle earindividuals asgrow older.
Q
R
Reading disorders - any ofgroupproblems characterized by difficulty using or understandingsymbol systemwritten language.
Round window - membrane separatingmiddle earinner ear.
S
Sensorineural hearing loss - hearing loss caused by damage tosensory cells and/or nerve fibers ofinner ear.
Sign language - methodcommunicationpeople whodeaf or hardhearingwhich hand movements, gestures,facial expressions convey grammatical structuremeaning.
Smell -perceive odor or scent through stimuli affectingolfactory nerves. See olfaction.
Smell disorder - inabilityperceive odors. It may be temporary, caused byhead cold or swelling or blockage ofnasal passages. It can be permanent when any part ofolfactory regiondamaged by factors such as brain injury, tumor, disease, or chronic rhinitis.
Sound vocalization - abilityproduce voice.
Spasmodic dysphonia - momentary disruptionvoice caused by involuntary movementsone or more muscles oflarynx or voice box.
Specific Language Impairment (SLI) - difficultylanguage ororganized-symbol system usedcommunication inabsenceproblems such as mental retardation, hearing loss, or emotional disorders.
Speech - spoken communication.
Speech disorder - any defect or abnormality that prevents an individual from communicating by meansspoken words. Speech disorders may develop from nerve injury tobrain, muscular paralysis, structural defects, hysteria, or mental retardation.
Speech processor - part ofcochlear implant that converts speech sounds into electrical impulsesstimulateauditory nerve, allowing an individualunderstand soundspeech.
Speech-language pathologist - health professional trainedevaluatetreat people who have voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorders (including hearing impairment) that affect their abilitycommunicate.
Stroke - also known ascerebrovascular accident (CVA); caused bylackblood tobrain, resulting insudden lossspeech, language, orabilitymovebody part, and, if severe enough, death.
Stuttering - frequent repetitionwords or partswords that disruptssmooth flowspeech.
Sudden deafness - losshearing that occurs quickly duesuch causes as explosion,viral infection, orusesome drugs.
Swallowing disorders - any ofgroupproblems that interferes withtransferfood frommouth tostomach.
Syndromic hearing impairment - hearing loss or deafness that, alongother characteristics,inherited or passed down through generations offamily.
T
Tactile - relatedtouch orsensetouch.
Tactile devices - mechanical instruments that make usetouchhelp individuals who have certain disabilities, such as deaf-blindness,communicate.
Taste - sensation produced bystimulus applied togustatory nerve endings intongue. The four tastessalt, sour, sweet,bitter. Some scientists indicateexistence offifth taste, described as savory.
Taste buds - groupscells located ontongue that enable onerecognize different tastes.
Taste disorder - inabilityperceive different flavors. Taste disorders may result from poor oral hygiene, gum disease, hepatitis, or medicineschemotherapeutic drugs. Taste disorders may also be neurological.
Throat disorders - disorders or diseases oflarynx (voice box), pharynx, or esophagus.
Thyroplasty - surgical techniqueimprove voice by alteringcartilages oflarynx, which housesvocal folds (vocal cords),orderchangeposition or length ofvocal folds. Also known as laryngeal framework surgery.
Tinnitus - sensation ofringing, roaring, or buzzing sound inears or head. Itoften associatedmany formshearing impairmentnoise exposure.
Tongue - large muscle onfloor ofmouth that manipulates foodchewingswallowing. It ismain organtaste,assistsforming speech sounds.
Touch - tactile sense;sense by which contact withskin or mucous membraneexperienced.
Tourette syndrome - neurological disorder characterized by recurring movementssounds (called tics).
Tracheostomy - surgical opening intotrachea (windpipe)help someone breathe who has an obstruction or swelling inlarynx (voice box) or upper throat or who has hadlarynx surgically removed.
Tuberous Sclerosis - Hereditary diseasemultiorgan manifestation. Typical symptomsepileptic seizures, autism, skin disorders,renal tumors.
Tympanoplasty - surgical repair ofeardrum (tympanic membrane) or bones ofmiddle ear.
U
Umami - Tastesubstances such as L-glutamate salts (MSG) thatfoundfoods like bouillonother stocks. (reference:Yamaguchi S, Ninomiya K. J Nutr. 2000 Apr:130(4S Suppl):921S-926S.)
Usher syndrome - hereditary disease that affects hearingvisionsometimes balance.
V
Velocardiofacial syndrome - inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate (opening inroof ofmouth), heart defects, characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems,speechfeeding problems.
Vertigo - illusionmovement;sensation as ifexternal world were revolving around an individual (objective vertigo) or as ifindividual were revolvingspace (subjective vertigo).
Vestibular neuronitis - infection atvestibular nerve.
Vestibular System - system inbody thatresponsiblemaintaining balance, posture, andbody's orientationspace. This system also regulates locomotionother movementskeeps objectsvisual focus asbody moves.
Vestibule - bony cavity ofinner ear.
Vibrotactile aids - mechanical instruments that help individuals whodeafdetectinterpret sound throughsensetouch.
Vocal cord paralysis - inabilityone or both vocal folds (vocal cords)move becausedamage tobrain or nerves.
Vocal cords (Vocal folds) - muscularized foldsmucous membrane that extend fromlarynx (voice box) wall. The foldsenclosedelastic vocal ligamentmuscle that controltensionratevibration ofcords as air passes through them.
Vocal folds - see Vocal cords.
Vocal tremor - trembling or shakingone or more ofmuscles oflarynx, resultingan unsteady-sounding voice.
Voice - sound produced by air passing out throughlarynxupper respiratory tract.
Voice disorders - groupproblems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality ofsound produced bylarynx (voice box).
W
Waardenburg syndrome - hereditary disorder thatcharacterized by hearing impairment,white shockhair and/or distinctive blue colorone or both eyes,wide-set inner corners ofeyes. Balance problemsalso associatedsome typesWaardenburg syndrome.
