Inner Ear Disorders and Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) - Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to inner ear disorders and sensorineural hearing loss from the lecture notes.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)

Hearing loss due to damage to cochlear structures or the auditory nerve, rather than the outer or middle ear.

Organ of Corti

The sensory organ in the cochlea containing hair cells that transduce vibrations into neural signals; often affected in SNHL.

Basal turn

The base region of the cochlea where high-frequency hair cells are located; commonly affected in cochlear SNHL.

Hair cells

Sensory cells in the Organ of Corti that convert mechanical vibrations into neural signals; frequently damaged in SNHL.

Stria vascularis

Cochlear tissue that maintains endolymph composition; may atrophy in SNHL.

Tectorial membrane

Gelatinous membrane overlying the hair cells; may appear shriveled or rolled in SNHL.

Reissner’s membrane

Membrane separating scala media from scala vestibuli; can collapse and attach to the basilar membrane in SNHL.

Basilar membrane

Cochlear membrane whose vibration stimulates hair cells and initiates auditory transduction.

Cochlear implant

Surgical device that electrically stimulates the auditory nerve via an implant inside the cochlea for severe SNHL.

Electrode array

Series of electrodes inside the cochlea used by a cochlear implant to stimulate the auditory nerve.

Calcified cochlea

Cochlea that has calcified, making electrode insertion for a cochlear implant unlikely or impossible.

Congenital sensorineural loss

SNHL present at birth due to prenatal factors or infections.

Acquired (adventitious) hearing loss

SNHL that is acquired after birth, often due to postnatal infections.

Chickenpox (varicella)

Varicella virus infection that can cause postnatal SNHL.

Measles (rubeola)

Measles virus infection that can cause SNHL.

Mumps

Mumps virus infection that can cause SNHL.

Toxoplasmosis

Parasitic infection transmitted across the placenta; a congenital cause of SNHL, with cat feces exposure risk noted.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Most common viral cause of congenital hearing loss; can cause vision loss, progressive SNHL, and cognitive delays.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges; bacterial form is more damaging; can lead to deafness and may require cochlear implantation.

Meninges

Membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; become inflamed in meningitis.

Syphilis

Bacterial infection that can cause congenital or acquired SNHL; treatable with penicillin.

Herpes

Viral infection that can cause SNHL; treated with antiviral drugs; generally more limited than syphilis in impact.

Rh-factor incompatibility

Maternal-fetal Rh incompatibility that can cause perinatal SNHL if untreated.

Rhogam

Rh immune globulin given to Rh-negative mothers to prevent Rh sensitization and related complications.

Perinatal onset

Onset of hearing loss around the time of birth, often due to perinatal events.

Anoxia

Lack of oxygen; can damage cochlear structures and cause central (brain) forms of hearing loss.

Central hearing loss

Hearing loss arising from the brain or central auditory pathways rather than the cochlea.