Understanding Audiology: Masking and Audiograms

The minimum level of sound required to hear a tone.

A technique to prevent cross hearing by introducing noise.

Hearing sound in one ear when it was intended for the other ear.

The reduction in sound intensity as it travels between ears.

A device that transmits sound directly to the bones of the skull.

A situation where one ear has a different threshold than the other.

The level of sound sent to the test ear during hearing tests.

Routine tasks of an audiologist involving hearing tests and masking.

Tests to determine the lowest sound level a person can hear.

The phenomenon where sound is transmitted to the opposite ear.

The technique used to prevent cross hearing during tests.

Cross hearing is expected when sounds are above 40 or 50 dB.

A method for patients to indicate which ear hears the sound.

Patients typically report hearing sound in the ear receiving it.

A type of hearing loss that involves both conductive and sensorineural components.

Hearing loss caused by problems in the outer or middle ear that interfere with sound conduction.

Hearing loss resulting from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.

A sensation felt instead of hearing, usually at low frequencies, indicating strong vibrations.

The difference in sound intensity measured in decibels, indicating how much louder or softer sounds are.

A rapid drop in hearing sensitivity over a short frequency range.

The spectrum of sound frequencies over which hearing ability is measured.

A hearing test method that measures how well sound travels through the bones of the skull.

An audiogram showing minimal change of 20 dB across frequencies.

An audiogram that decreases by at least 20 dB from low to high frequencies.

An audiogram that increases by at least 20 dB from low to high frequencies.

An audiogram that shows rapid decrease in hearing levels, often referred to as ski slope.

An audiogram shape with a dip in the mid-frequencies, resembling a cookie bite.

An audiogram with a notch in the low frequencies instead of the mid frequencies.

Hearing loss that primarily affects the high frequency sounds.

An audiogram indicating minimal hearing in low frequencies at high levels, often seen in profound losses.

A method to assess hearing through vibration of the skull, indicating cochlea function.

Hearing loss due to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Difference in hearing thresholds between air conduction and bone conduction; greater than 10 dB indicates conductive hearing loss.

Standard frequencies for hearing tests, typically 250 Hz to 8000 Hz.

A condition where a crack in the semicircular canal allows cerebrospinal fluid to enter the ear, affecting hearing.

Frequencies above 8000 Hz, important for detecting noise damage and ototoxicity.

A configuration where hearing ability decreases progressively at higher frequencies.

A degree of hearing loss where the person may hear sufficiently loud sounds but struggles with quiet sounds.

A level of hearing loss where communication is difficult without amplification.

A type of hearing loss where a person cannot hear sounds below a certain threshold, often requiring surgical or electronic support.

The specific pattern of hearing loss across different frequencies, such as flat, sloping, or trough.