Patient Management in Audiology – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing major concepts, professional roles, clinical procedures, counseling approaches, treatment methods, technologies, educational laws and multicultural issues covered in Chapter 15: Patient Management.

Case History

Systematic collection of a patient’s medical, auditory, social and communication background used to guide evaluation and management.

SOAP Format

Standard report outline: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan – used for concise, discipline-specific documentation.

Referral

Directed transfer of a patient to another professional with accompanying report and signed release under HIPAA.

Otologist

Physician (ENT) specializing in medical and surgical treatment of ear disorders.

Audiological Counseling

Process of providing information, emotional support and guidance to patients/families coping with hearing loss.

Diagnostic Counseling

Explanation of test results and their implications immediately following an evaluation.

Personal Adjustment Counseling

Supportive interaction that helps patients integrate hearing loss into daily life and adopt effective coping strategies.

Support Group

Peer-based meeting (e.g., HLAA, AG Bell) offering shared experiences, information and emotional assistance.

Residual Hearing

Usable auditory range between threshold and uncomfortable loudness level; foundation for amplification benefits.

Activity Limitation

Difficulty an individual has executing tasks (e.g., understanding speech) due to impairment; WHO term replacing ‘disability.’

Participation Restriction

Social or vocational disadvantage resulting from activity limitations; replaces ‘handicap.’

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990 U.S. law prohibiting discrimination and mandating access/accommodations for people with disabilities.

21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act

2010 update ensuring equal access to modern digital and broadband communications technologies.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Conscious, judicious use of best research evidence, clinician expertise and patient values in care decisions.

Outcome Measure

Objective or self-report tool used pre- and post-intervention to document benefit and guide further care.

Clear Speech

Naturally slower, well-articulated speaking style with key-word emphasis that improves listener comprehension.

Communication Training

Instruction in environmental management, assertiveness and repair strategies to improve conversational success.

Auditory Retraining

Post-fitting listening exercises (e.g., LACE) designed to enhance speech perception and cognitive listening skills.

LACE

Listening and Communication Enhancement – adaptive computer-based auditory training program for adults.

Group Intervention

Audiologic rehabilitation delivered to several patients (and partners) simultaneously for education and psychosocial support.

Speechreading

Visual perception of speech via lip, facial and gestural cues; formerly called lipreading.

Tele-Audiology

Remote delivery of audiologic services (testing, programming, counseling) via synchronous or asynchronous tele-health platforms.

Remote Microphone System

Wireless accessory (FM, DM, Bluetooth) that transmits the speaker’s voice directly to the listener’s hearing device.

Sound-Field Amplification

Classroom speaker system that raises teacher’s voice 5–10 dB above background noise for all students.

Educational Audiology

Specialty providing school-based hearing services: identification, amplification management, staff in-service and IEP input.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Educational setting affording maximal appropriate inclusion of a child with disabilities.

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Legally mandated, annually reviewed document detailing special-education services and goals for a student.

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

Early-intervention plan outlining services and family goals for children birth–3 with disabilities.

Auditory-Verbal Approach

Unisensory method emphasizing audition (with early amplification) and parent coaching to develop spoken language.

Aural/Oral Method

Multisensory technique combining amplified hearing, speechreading and spoken language instruction.

American Sign Language (ASL)

Natural visual-gestural language of the Deaf community with its own grammar and syntax.

Manually Coded English (MCE)

Sign systems (SEE, Signed English, PSE) that represent English word order and morphology visually.

Cued Speech

System of eight handshapes in four positions near the mouth that visually differentiate phonemes during speech.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Deficit in neural processing of auditory information leading to difficulties in listening, discrimination and comprehension.

Central Presbycusis

Age-related decline in central auditory processing contributing to speech-in-noise problems beyond cochlear loss.

Fast ForWord

Computer training program using acoustically enhanced speech to improve language and auditory processing in children.

Earobics

Interactive software targeting phonological awareness and auditory skills for literacy and APD remediation.

Auditory Integration Training (AIT)

Controversial method using modulated music exposure; currently lacks scientific evidence of efficacy.

Genetic Counseling

Service providing medical/genetic information and emotional support to families regarding hereditary aspects of hearing loss.

Multicultural Competence

Ability to deliver culturally responsive, bias-free services respecting diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

People-First Language

Communication style emphasizing the individual before the disability (e.g., “person with hearing loss”).

Deaf Culture

Shared language (ASL), values and social norms of individuals who identify culturally as Deaf.

Clear Speaking Techniques

Practical tips—slow-normal rate, pauses, natural inflection, full word endings—to produce ‘clear speech.’

Supportive Legislation (IDEA)

U.S. law guaranteeing early-intervention and special-education services, including audiology, for eligible children.

Tele-health Facilitator

Trained on-site assistant who handles equipment and patient needs during remote audiology sessions.

Outcome Documentation

Sharing quantified treatment results with patients, physicians and payers to demonstrate benefit and need for services.

Deaf vs. Hard-of-Hearing

‘Deaf’ often denotes profound loss/cultural identity; ‘hard-of-hearing’ indicates partial loss using spoken language.

Clear Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Acoustic condition where speech is audible at least 10 dB above competing noise, critical for listeners with loss.

Supportive Classroom Acoustics

Use of carpets, acoustic tiles, curtains and tennis-ball chair tips to reduce reverberation and noise.

Forehead Bone-Conduction Testing

Tele-audiology technique allowing reliable bone thresholds with noise-reducing headphones in non-booth settings.