Common Hearing Loss Terms

audiologist: a primary health provider who can diagnose and treat people with deficient hearing. Audiologists conduct specialized hearing tests, dispense and fit hearing aids, and refer patients to physicians when medical or surgical evaluation or treatment is required. Audiologists have a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited university. In addition, audiologists have clinical training. They can treat patients from birth through adulthood.

binaural: in both ears.

BTE: abbreviation for "behind-the-ear," referring to the placement of the hearing aid in relation to the ear. BTE hearing aids are smaller, but look similar to popular cell phone bluetooth headsets. Also, ITC (in-the-canal), ITE (in-the-ear), CIC (completely-in-the-canal), all of which for some consumers is more cosmetically appealing because the hearing aid is more hidden within the ear.

cochlear implants: do not amplify sounds like a hearing aid does, instead these implants bypass damaged areas of the ear and transmit sound representations directly to the auditory nerves. Because of this, individuals must relearn how to hear, and this can take some time. Cochlear implants consist of two parts, one that sits behind the ear and another surgically embedded beneath the skin. Severely hard-of-hearing or deaf individuals may benefit from cochlear implants.

digital hearing aids: programmable hearing aids that turn sounds into digital signals. While more expensive than analog hearing aids, digital aids can distinguish between background noise and speech, thereby making them more effective.

presbycusis: common and gradual hearing loss that occurs with age. Presbycusis is irreversible. Click here to test the extent of your hearing loss.

tinnitus: a condition more commonly known as "ringing in the ears." Tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom that has several possible causes. Click here to learn more about tinnitus.