Auditory System and Hearing Loss Types

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical components of the Peripheral and Central Auditory Systems, hearing pathways, and diagnostic classifications of hearing loss based on AC and BC results.

Peripheral Auditory System

The auditory structures comprising the outer ear (pinna, external auditory meatus), middle ear (tympanic membrane, tympanic cavity, Eustachian tube, ossicles), inner ear (cochlea, semicircular canals), temporal bone, internal auditory meatus, cochlear nerve, vestibular nerve, and facial nerve.

Central Auditory Nervous System (CANS)

The auditory system components consisting of brainstem structures (CN, SOC, LL, IC) and brain structures (MGB, Herschel's gyrus, CC).

Ossicles

The middle ear bones located in the tympanic cavity, consisting of the malleus, incus, and stapes.

CANS Brainstem Components

Structures of the Central Auditory Nervous System located within the brainstem, listed as CN, SOC, LL, and IC.

CANS Brain Components

Structures of the Central Auditory Nervous System located within the brain, listed as MGB, Herschel's gyrus, and CC.

Air Conduction (AC) Pathway

The hearing pathway through which sound travels via the Outer Ear, Middle Ear, Inner Ear, VIIIth nerve, and CANS.

Bone Conduction (BC) Pathway

The hearing pathway that assesses sound transmission starting at the Inner Ear, VIIIth nerve, and CANS.

Normal Hearing

A condition where both the Air Conduction (AC) pathway and Bone Conduction (BC) pathway are normal.

Conductive Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss where the Air Conduction (AC) pathway is abnormal and the Bone Conduction (BC) pathway is normal.

Sensory Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss centered in the inner ear where both the Air Conduction (AC) pathway and Bone Conduction (BC) pathway are abnormal.

Neural Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss involving the VIIIth nerve where both the Air Conduction (AC) pathway and Bone Conduction (BC) pathway are abnormal.

Central Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss originating in the CANS where both the Air Conduction (AC) pathway and Bone Conduction (BC) pathway present as normal.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A type of hearing loss characterized by abnormalities in both the Air Conduction (AC) pathway and Bone Conduction (BC) pathway.