Praxis Audiology key terms

The lowest sound level that triggers contraction of the stapedius muscle, measured by a probe in the ear canal. It helps screen for middle ear status and retrocochlear problems.

Behavioral testing that presents tones at varied frequencies and levels to find the softest sound a person hears, yielding frequency-specific hearing thresholds for each ear.

The difference between hearing thresholds obtained by air conduction and by bone conduction at the same frequency. A gap suggests a conductive component to the hearing loss.

The lowest presentation level at which a listener correctly repeats about half of a set of familiar spondee words. It cross-checks the reliability of pure-tone thresholds.

A percentage score reflecting how many words a listener repeats correctly from a standardized list presented at a comfortable level, describing speech understanding ability rather than detection alone.

Low-level sounds produced by healthy outer hair cells in the cochlea and recorded with a microphone in the ear canal. Their presence suggests normal cochlear function and they are used in newborn screening.

An electrophysiologic test that records neural activity from the auditory pathway in response to sound, using scalp electrodes. It estimates hearing thresholds and screens for retrocochlear pathology without requiring behavioral responses.

A test that measures how easily the eardrum and middle ear system move as air pressure in the ear canal is varied. Results are graphed to classify middle ear status.

Reduced hearing caused by a problem in the outer or middle ear that blocks sound from reaching the inner ear. Bone conduction is typically normal while air conduction is reduced.

Hearing loss resulting from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. It typically affects both air and bone conduction and is usually permanent.

Age-related hearing loss, usually bilateral and greatest at high frequencies, arising from gradual changes in the inner ear and auditory pathway. It is the most common cause of hearing loss in older adults.

Permanent hearing damage caused by exposure to loud sound, often showing a notch at high frequencies. It is preventable through hearing conservation measures.

Inflammation or infection of the middle ear, often with fluid behind the eardrum. It is common in young children and can cause temporary conductive hearing loss.

Damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve caused by medications or chemicals, such as certain antibiotics or chemotherapy agents. It can produce hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems.

The perception of sound, such as ringing or buzzing, without an external source. It often accompanies hearing loss and can be managed with counseling, sound therapy, and amplification.

A universal early-detection procedure, typically using otoacoustic emissions or automated auditory brainstem response, that identifies infants needing diagnostic follow-up before language development is affected.

Services for infants and toddlers with hearing loss and their families, beginning as soon as possible after identification, to support language, communication, and developmental outcomes.

A written plan developed for a young child with a disability or developmental delay and the child's family, outlining goals and services under early intervention law.

A legally required document for a school-aged student receiving special education, specifying present levels, goals, services, and accommodations needed for educational access.

An accommodation plan under federal civil rights law that ensures a student with a disability can access general education, often used when special education eligibility is not met.

An audiologist who supports students with hearing loss in school settings by managing amplification, recommending classroom accommodations, and consulting with teachers and families.

A wireless assistive listening device in which a speaker's microphone transmits sound directly to a receiver worn by the listener, improving speech understanding in noise and at distance.

The process of selecting, programming, and verifying amplification so that it matches a person's hearing loss, communication needs, and comfort, followed by counseling and follow-up.

A verification method that measures the actual sound level delivered in the ear canal by a hearing aid, using a probe microphone, to confirm the fitting meets prescriptive targets.

A surgically placed device that converts sound into electrical signals delivered directly to the auditory nerve, used for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss when hearing aids provide limited benefit.

A condition in which the inner ear produces emissions but neural transmission is disordered, so speech understanding is often poorer than pure-tone thresholds would suggest.

A visual region on an audiogram where the acoustic energy of typical speech sounds falls, used to illustrate which speech sounds a listener may miss.

A workplace or school program combining noise measurement, engineering controls, hearing protection, training, and periodic audiometric monitoring to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

The range of professional activities an audiologist is trained and legally permitted to perform, defined by education, licensure, and professional standards.

State-granted legal permission to practice audiology, typically requiring a qualifying degree, supervised experience, and passing an examination.

A voluntary professional credential from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, earned through graduate education, supervised clinical experience, and examination, indicating clinical proficiency.

Ongoing professional learning required to maintain licensure and certification and to keep current with advances in audiology practice.

The ethical and legal requirement to explain the purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives of a procedure and obtain a client's voluntary agreement before proceeding.

The professional obligation to protect client information from unauthorized disclosure, with exceptions such as legal requirements or risk of harm.

Clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research, clinician expertise, and client values and preferences when choosing assessment or treatment approaches.

Tools such as questionnaires or functional assessments used to document change in a client's abilities, satisfaction, or quality of life after intervention.

Difficulty using auditory information despite normal hearing sensitivity, affecting skills such as understanding speech in noise, localization, and temporal processing.