Acouso/audio hearing aero Air or gas Auri/oto ear cerumino wax salpingo Eustachian tube or uterine tube Tympano/myringo eardrum -acusis Hearing condition pinna Auricle (little ear); projected part of the external ear External auditory meatus External passage for sounds collected from the pinna to the tympanum Tympanic membrane (TM) Eardrum; drum-like structure that receives sound collected in the external auditory meatus (canal) and amplifies it through the middle ear malleus Hammer; first of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear incus Anvil; middle of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear stapes Stirrup; last of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear Eustachian tube/auditory tube Tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx (throat) Mastoid process Projection of the temporal bone located behind the ear containing air cells that connect to the middle ear (masto = breast) Oval window Membrane that covers the opening between the middle ear and <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> Structures and liquids that relay sound waves to the auditory nerve fibers on a path to the brain for interpretation of sound labyrinth Maze; <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> consists of bony and membranous labyrinths cochlea Coiled tubular structure of the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> that contains the organ of Corti (cochlea = snail) perilymph Fluid that fills the bony labyrinth of the ear endolymph Fluid within the cochlear duct of the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> (labyrinths) Organ of Corti Organ located in the cochlea that contains receptors (hair cells) that receive vibrations and generate nerve impulses for hearing vestibule Middle part of the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> in front of the semicircular canals and behind the cochlea that contains the utricle and saccule utricle Larger of two sacs within the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule in the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> saccule Smaller of two sacs within the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule in the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> Semicircular canals Three canals within the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> that contain specialized receptor cells that generate nerve impulses with body movement Otalgia/otodynia earache otorrhagia Bleeding from the ear otorrhea Purulent drainage from the ear tinnitus A jingling; ringing or buzzing in the ear vertigo A turning round; dizziness Otitis externa Inflammation of the external auditory meatus Cerumen impaction Excessive buildup of wax in the ear Myringitis / tympanitis Inflammation of the eardrum Otitis media Inflammation of the middle ear Aerotitis media Inflammation of the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> from changes in atmospheric pressure; often occurs in frequent air travel otosclerosis Hardening of the bony tissue in the ear mastoiditis Inflammation of the mastoid process; most commonly seen as a result of the spread of inflammation and infection in otitis media Eustachian obstruction Blockage of the eustachian tube usually as a result of infection, as in otitis media Acoustic neuroma Benign tumor on the auditory nerve (8th cranial nerve) that causes vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss aplasia Condition of absence or malformation of <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> structure during embryonic development, resulting in hearing loss labyrinthitis Inflammation of the labyrinth Meniere disease Disorder of the <a href="/keyword/inner-ear/" >inner ear</a> due to an excessive buildup of endolymphatic fluid causing episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss; one or both ears can be affected, and attacks vary in frequency and intensity deafness General term for partial or complete hearing loss Conductive hearing loss Hearing impairment caused by interference with sound or vobratory energy in the external canal, middle ear, or ossicles Sensorineural hearing loss Hearing impairment caused by lesions or dysfunction of the cochlea or auditory nerve Mixed hearing loss Combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss Presbyacusis/presbycusis Hearing impairment in old age audiometry Process of measuring hearing audiometer Instrument to measure hearing audiogram Record of hearing measurement audiologist Person who specializes in the study of hearing impairments Auditory acuity testing Physical assessment of hearing; useful in differentiating between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss Tuning fork Two-pronged, fork-like instrument that vibrates when struck: used to test for hearing, especially bone conduction Brainstem auditory evoked potentials Electrodiagnostic testing using computerized equipment to measure involuntary responses to sound within the auditory nervous system commonly used to assess hearing in newborns otoscopy Use of an otoscope to examine the external auditory meatus (canal) and tympanic membrane Pneumatic otoscopy Otoscopic observation of the tympanic membrane as air is released into the external auditory meatus (canal); immobility indicates the presence of middle ear effusion (fluid buildup) as occurs as a result of otitis media tympanometry Measurement of the compliance and mobility (conductibility) of the tympanic membrane and ossicles of the middle ear by monitoring the response after exposure to external airflow pressures microsurgery Surgery with the use of a microscope; used in procedures involving delicate tissue such as the ear Myringotomy/tympanostomy Incision into the eardrum, most often for insertion of a small metal or plastic tube to keep the meatus open, avoiding fluid buildup (effusion) as that which occurs as a result of otitis media otoplasty Surgical repair of the external ear stapedectomy Excision of the stapes to correct otosclerosis tympanoplasty Vein graft of a scarred tympanic membrane to improve sound conduction Auditory prosthesis Any internal or external device that improves or substitutes for natural hearing Hearing aid External amplifying device designed to improve hearing by more effective collection of sound into the ear Cochlear implant Electronic device implanted in the cochlea that provides sound perception to patients with severe or profound sensorineural (nerve) hearing loss in both ears Ear lavage Irrigation of the external ear canal, commonly done to remove excessive buildup of cerumen Ear instillation Introduction of a medicated solution into the external ear canal antibiotic Drug that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms; used to treat diseases caused by bacteria antihistamine Drug that blocks the effects of histamine histamine Regulating body substance released in excess during allergic reactions that cause swelling and inflammation of tissues; seen in hay fever, urticaria (hives), etc. Anti-inflammatory Drug that reduces inflammation Anti-inflammatory Drug that reduces inflammation decongestant Drug that reduces congestion and swelling of membranes, such as those of the nose and eustachian tube after infection