Category: Au-Au

A condition with recurrent vertigo accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and deafness. Symptoms include vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of hearing (in the affected ear), and abnormal eye movements. Meniere disease is due to dysfunction of the semi-circular canals (endolymphatic sac) in the inner ear. The treatment of Meniere disease usually includes medications (anticholinergic drugs, antihistamines, etc) to relieve the vertigo. Diuretics have been used to…

A sensation perceived by a patient that precedes a condition affecting the brain. An aura often occurs before a migraine or seizure. It may consist of flashing lights, a gleam of light, blurred vision, an odor, the feeling of a breeze, numbness, weakness, or difficulty in speaking..

The tube that runs from the middle ear to the pharynx, also known as the Eustachian tube. The function of this tube is to protect, aerate and drain the middle ear (and mastoid). Occlusion of the Eustachian tube leads to the development of middle ear inflammation (otitis media). This tube is also called the otopharyngeal…

A device that enhances the ability to hear or substitutes for it. More commonly called a hearing aid. An instrument to help in hearing. There are four common styles of hearing aids. From largest to smallest, they are: Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, and Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids. There is…

The ability to identify, interpret, and attach meaning to sound.

An experimental procedure for reducing painful hypersensitivity to sound. It has proved beneficial for some people with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

A condition in which there is an inability to differentiate, recognize or understand sounds while both the hearing and intelligence are normal. The problem is “central” as regards the auditory pathways. (In technical terms, a central auditory processing disorder is a disease of the auditory pathways from the bulbar cochlear nuclei to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe.…

The part of the brain that is concerned with hearing. The auditory cortex is the temporal lobe, which the lower lobe of the cerebral hemisphere just forward of the occipital lobe.

Auditory brainstem response test. An automated test for hearing and brain (neurological) functioning that is performed by applying wires to the skin around the ear. ABR may be used in the evaluation of: Hearing integrity (and neurologic normalcy) in infants and young children. Neurologic integrity (and hearing) in patients who are comatose, unresponsive, or impaired due to…

Impairment in the understanding of auditory language and communication. Sounds are heard but they convey no meaning. The 20th century Russian composer Vissarion Shebalin had auditory aphasia after a stroke but remained an outstanding composer. The comprehension of auditory language and the musical organization of acoustic perception rely on different systems in the brain. Auditory aphasia is also known…