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S

Self-contained classroom - a classroom setting in which children with special needs are placed with other children with similar needs. Often, a child who has been mainstreamed will move between two different classes during the day, one being the regular classroom and the other being the self-contained classroom

Semicircular Canals - a set of three loops in the inner ear that are important to balance

Sensorineural Hearing Loss - hearing loss (also known as nerve deafness), one in which bones, eardrum, and membranes are intact, but a deterioration of the inner ear is present. This may be caused by the natural aging process, or degeneration of the nerves leading from the inner ear to the brain.  

Sensory - hearing loss involving the inner ear, i.e. the cochlea

Serous - thin, watery liquid

Severe deafness - a hearing loss between 70dB and 90dB when the hearing threshold level at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz in the better ear is averaged.

Signal-to-noise Ratio - the difference in loudness level (in decibels) between a sound of interest and the background noise

Signed English - SE (Siglish) a modification of American Sign Language (AMESLAN) developed by Harry Bornstein and associates at Gallaudet College. It is designed to present a formalized gesture system that will help children learn to communicate more easily with better syntax and grammar.

Sign language - a system of conventional symbols or gestures made with the hands to help the deaf communicate. It is distinct from finger spelling. There are various systems, among them American Sign Language, ASL (AMESLAN); Lingusitics of Visual English, LOVE or LVE; Seeing Essential English, SEE1; Signed English, SE (Siglish); Signing Exact English, SEE2; Systematic Sign Language, SLL

Speech to Reception Threshold (SRT) - see hearing threshold

Sound - (1) the sensation resulting from stimulation of the auditory mechanism by air waves or vibrations. (2) an instrument that may be inserted into a cavity or tube (e.g., eustachian) for diagnosis or treatment.

Soundfield - the area in a sound booth where sound is presented through a speaker

Soundfield Amplification  - an FM public address system that transmits a speaker's voice through a microphone to loudspeakers throughout the room

(SRT) - see Speech to Reception Threshold

Stapespl. stapes, stapedes - also known as the stirrup, the stapes is the third and inner bone of the ossicular chain. Moved by the incus, the stapes vibrates in the oval window. 

Stenotic - narrowing of the ear canal

Stigmata - a mark or obvious trait that is characteristic of a disease or defect

Stimulus - a sound presented in order to get a response

Streptomycin (see also Neomycin and Kanamycin) - Generally the effect of these drugs on hearing is profound, although their effect is of course related to the dosage. Since physicians are well aware to the hearing from these drugs, large doses are prescribed only when urgent as a life-saving measure. When the saving of life is involved, sacrifice of the hearing assumes a secondary importance. 

Suppurative - the formation or drain of pus

Syndrome - symptoms and signs that characterize a specific abnormality

Syphilis - a venereal disease that can cause lesions of the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system

Swim Plugs - a device that goes in the ear to keep water out.Used for people where water may be causing repeating ear infections.

T

Telecoil - a magnetic induction coil on a hearing aid designed to be compatible with most telephones

Telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) - a telephone system in which a typewritten message is transmitted over telephone lines and is received as a printed message; also referred to as TT or TTY 

Teratogenic - drugs given to the mother that can cross the placental barrier to the unborn child.  They are caplable of interfering with the development of the fetus, causing birth defects.

Thalidomide - tranquilizing drug that can have a teratogenic effect on the auditory system of the developing embryo when taken by the mother during pregnancy, resulting in congenital hearing loss 

TILL - Treble Increase at Low Levels. A type of compression amplification system which attenuates (reduces) the amount of high frequency gain as input signal levels increase.

Tinnitus - Noises (e.g. ringing) seeming to originate within the ear itself; syn: susurrus aurium, tinnitus cerebri, tinnitus aurium

Tinnitus Maskers - For those who experience tinnitus (a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ear), tinnitus maskers are available. These devices create ?hite noise?which serves to mask the tinnitus symptoms.

Tone deafness - Inability to recognize musical tones or pitch differences. In extreme cases it is known as amusia.

Toxoplasmosis - a disease charcterized by lesions of the central nervous system. It is caused by a parasite found in cat feces and raw or undercooked meat. This infection has a great effect on the fetus, often including hearing loss.

Treacher-Collins Syndrome - a hereditary defect related to ossification of fetal cartilage. 

Treble - The highest voice part in harmonic music. In upper half of the whole vocal or tonal range.

T-switch - A Telephone switch on a hearing aid that allows for better hearing and understanding on the phone.

Tympanic Cavity - the middle ear cavity

Tympanic Membrane - the thin membrane between the outer ear canal and the middle ear; also called the eardrum. It stretches across the inner end of the external ear canal and forms the outer boundary of the middle ear. It reacts to sound waves and starts the ossicular chain moving. It is about 1/3 inch (7 or 8 mm) in diameter.

Tympanogram - a graph showing the movement of the eardrum as a function of air pressure changes within the ear canal; this graph gives information regarding the integrity of the middle ear system. The ear canal is closed off with a probe tip and as air pressure is introduced into the canal, eardrum movement is recorded. 

Tympanometry - a meaurement testing the compliance or movement of the eardrum in response to loading the ear canal with air pressure equal to 200 mm (equivalent water pressure). This test is designed to determine the movement of the eardrum as air pressure is changed in the ear canal.

U

Ultrasonic sound - sound pressure waves whose frequency is above the audible range. Sometimes called ultra-audible sound.

Uncomfortable loundness or uncomfortable loudness level (UCL or ULL) - the intensity level at which tone or sound subjectively becomes uncomfortably loud.

Utricle,utriculus - the larger of the two sacs that occupy a portion of the membranous labyrinth of the vestibule of the inner ear. (The smaller sac is the saccule.)

Utriculitis - (1) inflammation involving the utricle of the vestibule. (2) inflammation of the inner ear.

Usher's Syndrome - (C.H. Usher, 20th century English ophthalmologist) a group of symptoms accompanying congenital deafness that may include visual problems, balance problems, lack of speech development and ear canal abnormalities

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