Audiology Terminology

Auditory acuity refers to the ability of an individual to hear sounds at different frequencies and intensities.

Hidden hearing loss is a condition in which an individual has difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, despite having normal hearing thresholds on a standard audiogram.

Tinnitus is a condition in which an individual experiences ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears, even in the absence of external sound.

Hyperacusis is a condition in which an individual experiences increased sensitivity to everyday sounds, such as the sound of dishes clinking or people talking.

Ménière's disease is a condition in which an individual experiences dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus, often associated with fluid buildup in the inner ear.

Otosclerosis is a condition in which an individual experiences progressive hearing loss due to the hardening of the middle ear bones, specifically the stapes.

Audiometry is a test that measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and intensities.

Speech audiometry is a test that measures an individual's ability to understand speech in noise.

A sound localization test measures an individual's ability to determine the direction from which a sound is coming.

A speech discrimination test measures an individual's ability to discriminate between different speech sounds.

A loudness discomfort level test measures an individual's ability to tolerate loud sounds.

A signal-to-noise ratio test measures an individual's ability to hear sounds in the presence of background noise.

Pure-tone audiometry is a test that measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different frequencies.

A loudness discomfort level test measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different intensities.

Pure-tone audiometry is a test that measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and intensities.