CSD 3301 Introduction to Audiology Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the ear, audiological testing, pediatric evaluations, ear disorders, and cultural aspects of audiology.

Pinna (Auricle)

The visible part of the outer ear that gathers sound waves from the environment and enhances high frequencies important for understanding speech.

Earcanal

An S-shaped structure approximately 1 inch in length with a cartilaginous portion closest to the pinna and a bony portion closest to the eardrum.

Mastoid process

A bony prominence located just behind the ear that is honeycombed with air cells.

Otoscopy

The procedure of using an otoscope to examine the ear for debris, foreign objects, growths, cerumen, and color.

Tympanic Membrane (TM) Landmarks

Anatomical features seen during otoscopy including the Pars flaccida, pars tensa, manubrium of the malleus, cone of light, umbo, and incus.

Cerumen

Earwax produced in the outer 1/3 of the earcanal that moisturizes the canal and acts as a natural barrier.

Ossicles

Commonly known as the ossicular chain, these include the malleus (connected to the TM), the incus, and the stapes (attached to the oval window).

Impedance Matcher

The function of the middle ear to match the low impedance (resistance) of air in the outer ear to the high impedance of fluid in the inner ear.

High heel effect

An impedance matching mechanism where sound energy is concentrated from the large area of the eardrum onto the smaller area of the oval window, increasing pressure.

Lever action of the ossicles

The physical process where the ossicles act as a lever system to amplify force from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

Eustachian tube

A tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx that equalizes pressure and replenishes the air-filled middle ear cavity with oxygen.

Valsalva Maneuver

A method to auto-inflate the middle ear by closing the nose and forcing air up the Eustachian tube.

Organ of Corti

Often called the “end organ of hearing,” it sits within the cochlea and contains the hair cells.

VRMBT

An acronym for the internal structures of the cochlea: scala Vestibuli, Reissner’s membrane, scala Media, Basilar membrane, and scala Tympani.

Perilymph

The fluid contained within the scala vestibuli and the scala tympani of the inner ear.

Endolymph

The fluid contained within the scala media and the semicircular canals; it is produced by the stria vascularis.

Tectorial membrane

A shelf-shaped gelatinous mass in the cochlea where the stereocilia of the outer hair cells are embedded.

Spiral ganglion

A cluster of neurons that transmit auditory signals from the hair cells to the brain.

Stria vascularis

A structure that produces endolymph and provides nutrients and oxygen to the cochlea.

Tonotopic organization

The arrangement of the cochlea and auditory nerve where the base is fine-tuned to high frequencies and the apex is fine-tuned to low frequencies.

Proprioceptive system

A sensory system that provides information about body position and movement through receptors in muscles, joints, and skin.

Otolith organs

Comprised of the utricle and saccule, these provide the brain with input regarding linear acceleration.

VOR

Standing for Vestibulo-ocular reflex, it is an reflex that helps maintain stable vision during head movement.

8CSLIMA

The acronym for the auditory pathway relay stations: 8th nerve, Cochlear Nucleus, Superior olivary complex, Lateral lemniscus, Inferior colliculus, Medical geniculate body, and Auditory complex.

Amplitude

The physical measure of how much a vibrator moves during vibration; perceived as loudness.

Frequency

The number of completed vibrations in 1 sec, measured in $Hz$; perceived as pitch.

dBHL

Decibel Hearing Level, the unit of measurement used in audiological testing.

dBSL

Decibel Sensation Level, representing the intensity of a sound above a specific reference threshold.

Recruitment

A symptom of sensorineural hearing loss characterized by a rapid growth in perceived loudness.

Dynamic range

The range between a person's hearing threshold and their Uncomfortable Loudness Level ($UCL$).

Audibility index

A calculation using the 'count the dot' audiogram to determine what percentage of available speech cues a client can access.

Air-bone gap (ABG)

A difference of greater than $10\,dB$ between air conduction results and bone conduction results.

PTA (Pure Tone Average)

The average of hearing thresholds at $500\,Hz$, $1000\,Hz$, and $2000\,Hz$.

SRT (Speech Recognition Threshold)

The lowest level at which a patient can correctly repeat $50\%$ of spondee words.

Spondee words

Two-syllable stimuli used for finding the Speech Recognition Threshold, such as "cowboy" or "hotdog."

WRA (Word Recognition Ability)

A test using one-syllable words and a carrier phrase to calculate the percent correct score for speech understanding.

Masking

The introduction of noise into the non-test ear to prevent cross hearing during audiological evaluations.

VRA (Visual Reinforcement Audiometry)

A pediatric testing procedure that uses visual stimuli as reinforcement for hearing responses.

SAT (Speech Awareness Threshold)

The lowest intensity level at which a patient can just detect the presence of a speech signal.

Tympanometry

An objective test of middle ear function that measures pressure change and eardrum compliance via a probe.

ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

An objective test measuring the electrical activity from the auditory nerve up to the brainstem using electrodes to identify wave V.

1, 3, 6 Rule

The mandate for newborn hearing: screen by 1 month, diagnose by 3 months, and treat by 6 months.

Otomycosis

A fungus in the ear treated with medication, causing a conductive hearing loss.

Atresia

A congenital disorder resulting in a closed ear canal, treated with surgery or a $BAHA$.

Otosclerosis

An abnormal bone growth that stops the stapes from moving; it results in a conductive loss and a Type As tympanogram.

Presbycusis

Hearing loss specifically caused by the aging process, typically resulting in sensorineural loss.

Meniere’s disease

A condition caused by excessive endolymph in the scala media and semicircular canals, usually treated with a low sodium diet and steroids.

Alport Syndrome

A disorder where patients exhibit hearing loss and kidney dysfunction, often requiring a kidney transplant.

Usher Syndrome

The leading cause of deaf-blindness, involving progressive sensorineural hearing loss and worsening vision.

Acoustic neuroma

A tumor on the 8th nerve characterized by asymmetrical hearing, unilateral tinnitus, and dizziness.

Audism

Discrimination against Deaf people based on the belief that being hearing is superior.

Cultural humility

The practice of being aware and respectful of other cultures while continuously learning about them.