Hearing Health Glossary

Common terms of hearing loss explained

From audiograms to tinnitus, find all the terms commonly used for hearing loss and hearing aid technology listed below:

Anacusis

Anacusis, otherwise known as total deafness, is a complete lack of auditory perception to the degree of hearing loss of more than 120 dB. It is a less common form of hearing loss, as even with profound hearing loss of more than 90 dB, patients retain the ability to perceive some sounds.

Audiogram

The results of a hearing test are displayed in the form of an audiogram. This is a graph that gives a detailed description of your hearing ability.

Audiologist

An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and managing various hearing issues and loss.

Audiology

Audiology is the study of hearing and balance. Audiologists and audiometrists are trained to test and treat people with hearing loss, tinnitus and other related conditions.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory processing disorder (APD), also referred to as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), impedes an individual's ability to comprehend speech due to difficulties in processing sound information. Unlike a disorder of the auditory system, APD occurs at a neurosensory level, where sounds are heard accurately but are not interpreted correctly. It is not a condition of intellectual development either. The extent of interpretation difficulties can vary, ranging from challenges distinguishing individual letters to confusion over entire words. In children, this disorder directly impacts learning and can result in significant hurdles to language acquisition.

Behind-The-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aid

This is the most traditional style of hearing aid. This hearing aid is small and curved with a case that fits behind the ear with a thin, transparent tube that runs into the ear canal. Newer models are far less visible than previous generation hearing aids. The Behind-The-Ear hearing aid is highly versatile, providing excellent treatment for most forms of hearing loss.

Blocked ear

There can be many causes of a full or blocked feeling in your ear(s). These include earwax build-up, sinus problems (from a head-cold, hayfever), an ear infection, and a hearing loss. It is important to have your ear(s) checked by a professional before trying to remove a blockage you assume is there as this can sometimes do more harm than good.

Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aid

A hearing aid style moulded to fit deep within the ear, Completely-In-The-Canal hearing aids are nearly invisible and tend to pick up less external noise (e.g. wind) because they're protected by the ear itself. Contact your local Bay Audiology clinic to determine if you're a candidate for this style. The style is typically appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss.

Ear candling

Ear candling is also known as ear coning or thermal auricular therapy. It involves inserting a tube of fabric coated in beeswax or paraffin into the ear that is lit on fire. The theory is that the suction produced will pull wax out of the ear canal. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the use of these candles can result in: burns, bleeding and perforated eardrums.

Ear cleaning

Earwax, and other foreign bodies (such as sand and dirt) can build up in your ear. There are several safe ways to remove these things, including microsuction (a small vacuum to suck the wax out).

Ear wax removal

Earwax (cerumen) is not usually a problem unless it builds up. When this happens, it can be removed by using wax softeners (such as olive oil drops) and then microsuction (using a small vacuum to suck the wax out)

Hearing aids

Hearing aids are small digital devices that sit in or behind the ear and aids an individual who has hearing loss. Hearing aids work by processing and amplifying sounds.

Hearing loop

A hearing loop (also called a telecoil or t-coil system) is a electromagnetic field that some hearing aids are about to pick up. This technology has been around for about 50 years and is often found in halls, theatres and some telephones. This can be useful to hear what is said at the cinema or from somebody using a microphone on stage, for example.

Hearing test

Several tests are carried out to measure your hearing ability. This is recorded in the form of an audiogram.

Hyperacusis

Hyperacusis is a rare disorder that makes it hard to deal with everyday sounds. Those affected experience a heightened sensitivity to sound, making certain sounds, such as a running tap, a car engine or even a loud conversation, seem unbearably noisy, while others around don’t seem to notice. It can vary in its severity, from being a mild inconvenience to a life-changing condition

In-The-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aid

Smaller than an ITE hearing aid, In-The-Canal hearing aids fit partly into the ear canal and are very discreet. Due to their small size, ITCs come with the option of remote control accessories for easy adjustment. These are best-suited to people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

In-The-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aid

In-The-Ear hearing aids are worn inside the outer ear and designed to match the wearer's skin tone. They are discreet, yet offer many features and options that smaller hearing aids can’t. This style is best for people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.

Labyrinthitis

The labyrinth is a structure found in your ears and it is involved in balance and hearing. Viral or bacterial infections may cause inflammation of the labyrinth, which is called labyrinthitis. This may result in hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. If you notice these things happening, it is important to visit your doctor or hearing care provider for help.

Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is a bacterial infection that affects the mastoid, a delicate bone behind the ear and is the rarest of all ear infections. Its structure is similar to that of a honeycomb, helping to maintain air space in the middle ear. When it becomes infected or inflamed, the porous bone begins to break down, causing visible swelling.

Misophonia

Misophonia is a neurophysiological and behavioural condition characterised by a heightened sensitivity to specific “trigger sounds”. These sounds can evoke overwhelming emotional or physical reactions, including feelings of extreme anger, anxiety, discomfort and panic, which often lead to an intense urge to escape or avoid the triggering noises.

Perforated eardrum

Tympanic membrane perforation refers to a tear or hole in the eardrum, often resulting from an infection in the middle ear where accumulated fluids exert pressure until the eardrum ruptures. Alternatively, it can occur due to trauma, such as the insertion of a foreign object, a forceful impact, exposure to extremely loud noises like explosions, or a sudden change in pressure affecting both sides of the membrane.

This injury, typically accompanied by pain, leads to disruptions in the auditory system. The eardrum acts like a drumhead, vibrating in response to sound waves. However, when it sustains any form of damage, these vibrations no longer accurately correspond to sound stimuli due to the lack of necessary tension in the membrane.

Receiver-In-The-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aid

This is a discreet, comfortable design that is easy to fit. It sits behind the ear canal similar to the BTE. The Receiver-In-The-Canal hearing aid is a great choice for those with mild to severe hearing loss who are sensitive to sensations in their ears.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. This condition can be treated or managed with hearing aids.

Vertigo treatment

Vertigo is a sensation that makes you feel as though your body, or the world around you, is spinning or moving despite being stationary. It occurs due to issues affecting the inner ear, spinal cord or brain, which cause you to feel dizzy as your brain believes that your body is off balance even though you may not be moving. 
Book a free hearing check Find your closest clinic

Get support and advice

Request an appointment

Book now

Take an online hearing check

Take the check

Find a clinic near you

Find a clinic