loud impulse sound(s) or repeated exposure to sounds over 90-decibel level over an extended period of time that damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear. nonsyndromic hereditary hearing impairment hearing loss or deafness that is inherited and is not associated with other inherited clinical characteristics. o odorant substance that stimulates the sense of smell. olfaction the act of smelling. olfactometer device for estimating the intensity of the sense of smell. open-set speech recognition understanding speech without visual clues (speech reading). otitis externa inflammation of the outer part of the ear extending to the auditory canal. otitis media inflammation of the middle ear caused by infection. otoacoustic emissions low-intensity sounds produced by the inner ear that can be quickly measured with a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal. otolaryngologist physician/surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and head and neck. otologist physician/surgeon who specializes in diseases of the ear. otosclerosis abnormal growth of bone of the inner ear. this bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly and causes hearing loss. for some people with otosclerosis, the hearing loss may become severe. ototoxic drugs drugs such as a special class of antibiotics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, that can damage the hearing and balance organs located in the inner ear for some individuals. outer ear external portion of the ear, consisting of the pinna, or auricle, and the ear canal. p papillomavirus group of viruses that can cause noncancerous wart-like tumors to grow on the surface of skin and internal organs such as the respiratory tract; can be life-threatening. parosmia any disease or perversion of the sense of smell, especially the subjective perception of odors that do not exist. perception (hearing) process of knowing or being aware of information through the ear. perilymph fistula leakage of inner ear fluid to the middle ear that occurs without apparent cause or that is associated with head trauma, physical exertion, or barotrauma. pervasive developmental disorders disorders characterized by delays in several areas of development that may include socialization and communication. pheromones chemical substances secreted by an animal that elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response in another animal of the same species. phonology study of speech sounds. postlingually deafened individual who becomes deaf after having acquired language. prelingually deafened individual who is either born deaf or who lost their hearing early in childhood, before acquiring language. presbycusis loss of hearing that gradually occurs because of changes in the inner or middle ear in individuals as they grow older. r reading disorders any of a group of problems characterized by difficulty using or understanding the symbol system for written language. round window membrane separating the middle ear and inner ear. s sensorineural hearing loss hearing loss caused by damage to the sensory cells and/or nerve fibers of the inner ear. sign language method of communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing in which hand movements, gestures, and facial expressions convey grammatical structure and meaning. rhinitis. sound vocalization ability to produce voice. spasmodic dysphonia momentary disruption of voice caused by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx or voice box. specific language impairment (sli) difficulty with language or the organized-symbol system used for communication in the absence of problems such as mental retardation, hearing loss, or emotional disorders. speech spoken communication. speech disorder any defect or abnormality that prevents an individual from communicating by means of spoken words. speech disorders may develop from nerve injury to the brain, muscular paralysis, structural defects, hysteria, or mental retardation. speech processor part of a cochlear implant that converts speech sounds into electrical impulses to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing an individual to understand sound and speech. speech-language pathologist health professional trained to evaluate and treat people who have voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorders (including hearing impairment) that affect their ability to communicate. stroke also known as a cerebrovascular accident (cva); caused by a lack of blood to the brain, resulting in the sudden loss of speech, language, or the ability to move a body part, and, if severe enough, death. stuttering frequent repetition of words or parts of words that disrupts the smooth flow of speech. sudden deafness loss of hearing that occurs quickly due to such causes as explosion, a viral infection, or the use of some drugs. swallowing disorders any of a group of problems that interferes with the transfer of food from the mouth to the stomach. syndromic hearing impairment hearing loss or deafness that, along with other characteristics, is inherited or passed down through generations of a family. t tactile related to touch or the sense of touch. tactile devices mechanical instruments that make use of touch to help individuals who have certain disabilities, such as deaf-blindness, to communicate. throat disorders disorders or diseases of the larynx (voice box), pharynx, or esophagus. thyroplasty surgical technique(s) to improve the human voice by altering single or multiple structures of the larynx, which houses the vocal folds (vocal cords) with the related controlling nerves, muscles, and cartilage. typically, this surgery is considered to improve the position or tension of the vocal folds which can improve vocal volume and production. this is also known as laryngeal framework surgery. the most common technique may be to insert small blocks of custom-shaped silastin just inside of the tracheal wall, pushing the vocal fold muscle inward (medialization). this typically strengthens the output of a weaker voice but it also reduces the exchange volume of pulmonary function, as the tracheal opening has been permanently reduced. this surgery is named for its proximity to the thyroid gland. tinnitus sensation of a ringing, roaring, or buzzing sound in the ears or head. it is often associated with many forms of hearing impairment. noise exposure and inner ear infections are but two predisposing conditions which can lead to the development of tinnitus. tongue large muscle on the floor of the mouth that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing. it is the main organ of taste, and assists in forming speech sounds. touch tactile sense; the sense by which contact with the skin or mucous membrane is experienced. tourette syndrome neurological disorder characterized by recurring movements and sounds (called tics). tracheostomy surgical opening into the trachea (windpipe) to help someone breathe who has an obstruction or swelling in the larynx (voice box) or upper throat or who has had the larynx surgically removed. tuberous sclerosis hereditary disease with multiorgan manifestation. typical symptoms are epileptic seizures, autism, skin disorders, and renal tumors. tympanoplasty surgical repair of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) or bones of the middle ear. u umami taste of substances such as l-glutamate salts (msg) that are found in foods like bouillon and other stocks. (reference:yamaguchi s, ninomiya k. j nutr. 2000 apr:130(4s suppl):921s-926s.) usher syndrome hereditary disease that affects hearing and vision and sometimes balance. ulna long bone in the arm on the pinky side that goes from the humerus to the carpal. v velocardiofacial syndrome inherited disorder characterized by cleft palate (opening in the roof of the mouth), heart defects, characteristic facial appearance, minor learning problems, and speech and feeding problems. vertigo illusion of movement; a sensation as if the external world were revolving around an individual (objective vertigo) or as if the individual were revolving in space (subjective vertigo). vestibular neuronitis infection at the vestibular nerve. vestibular system system in the body that is responsible for maintaining balance, posture, and the body's orientation in space. this system also regulates locomotion and other movements and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves. vestibule bony cavity of the inner ear. vibrotactile aids mechanical instruments that help individuals who are deaf to detect and interpret sound through the sense of touch. vocal cord paralysis inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move because of damage to the brain or nerves. vocal cords (vocal folds) muscularized folds of mucous membrane that extend from the larynx (voice box) wall. the folds are enclosed in elastic vocal ligament and muscle that control the tension and rate of vibration of the cords as air passes through them. vocal folds see vocal cords. vocal tremor trembling or shaking of one or more of the muscles of the larynx, resulting in an unsteady-sounding voice. voice sound produced by air passing out through the larynx and upper respiratory tract. voice disorders group of problems involving abnormal pitch, loudness, or quality of the sound produced by the larynx (voice box). w waardenburg syndrome hereditary disorder that is characterized by hearing impairment, a white shock of hair and/or distinctive blue color to one or both eyes, and wide-set inner corners of the eyes. balance problems are also associated with some types of waardenburg syndrome.