Glossary
When visiting our office you may hear some of the following terms. Use this glossary to learn more about your hearing health, then feel free to ask our staff for more information.
Audiogram: a graph that measures the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies.
Audio Update: a hearing test done every 12-18 months to monitor any changes in hearing.
Audiologist: a certified individual educated at the Master’s level, that specializes in hearing loss, balance issues, and other related ear issues.
Binaural: both ears/sides.
BSP: short for Battery Savings Plan. A pre-purchase system that ensures you are supplied with the freshest batteries at the lowest price.
BTE: an abbreviation for Behind-the-Ear hearing aid. The actual instrument rests behind the ear with a custom ear mold fitted into the ear.
Cerumen: the technical term for ear wax.
CIC: an abbreviation for Completely-in-the-Canal hearing aid. It is the smallest hearing instrument that fits so deeply in the ear, it is almost invisible.
Clean and Check: quarterly appointments where your hearing aids are professionally cleaned, ear are checked with a video otoscope and programming changes may be made.
Conductive hearing loss: occurs when sounds do not travel properly through the outer and middle ear sections. This type of hearing loss can often be corrected medically or surgically.
Digital hearing aid: “New technology” with a computer-controlled sound processor inside the hearing instrument allowing for even more control while adjusting the hearing instrument.
Earmold: the portion of a BTE hearing aid that fits into the canal of the ear. They can be different sizes and made of different materials including silicone.
Fitting Fee: a one-time charge that covers all in-house cleaning, repairs, and programming for the life of you hearing instrument(s).
Hearing instrument: another name for hearing aids.
Hearing Loss: any of the three types of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed). Anything that diminishes hearing sounds.
Impression: a silicone based material is used to create a cast of the ear canal and outer ear. After the material hardens (in about 5-6 minutes), the impression is removed from the ear.
In-House Services: any repair that the Hearing HealthCare Centers staff can do in the office. There are some repairs that must be sent into the factory.
ITC: an abbreviation for In-the-Canal hearing aid. It is the second smallest size of hearing aids and fills out the bottom portion of the ear.
ITE: an abbreviation for In-the-Ear hearing aid. This is the second largest type of hearing aid and fills out the outer space of the ear.
Mixed Hearing Loss: when both conductive and sensorineural components contribute to hearing loss.
Monaural: one ear/one side.
OTE: an abbreviation for Over-the-Ear hearing aids. These are the newest in hearing aid technology. The hearing instrument itself is tiny and fits snugly behind the ear. Thin tubing and a non-custom tip fits deeply into the ear canal making the entire hearing aid unnoticeable. Custom earmolds are available.
Otoscopic Examination: a visual examination of the ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum).
Pressure Check: the first appointment after the hearing aids are first delivered to the patient. This appointment is usually 3-5days after you get your hearing aids and assesses the “first impression” of the aids.
Sensorineural hearing loss: hearing loss that stems from either the cochlea (the hearing mechanism) or the Auditory nerve and effects how sound travels and is recognized by the brain. This type of hearing loss cannot be surgically repaired.
Sound Field Test: done on the sound booth, this test allows us to measure your hearing with and without your hearing instruments.
Speech Reception Test: a test the shows the softest level at which speech can be understood.
Telecoil: a setting in a hearing aid that works specifically with the telephone.
Tinnitus: a condition that millions of people suffer from commonly known as “ringing in the ears.” There is no known cause or treatment for this condition.
Tympanic Membrane: the technical name for ear drum.
Tympanogram: a test that measures the flexibility and pressure inside and outside of the ear.
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