amplifier = machine that makes sounds louder

amplify =make louder

audiogram =graph that shows the level of a person’s hearing loss (how much difficulty they have in hearing)

audiologist =person who gives hearing tests and who fits hearing aids

auditory nerve =nerve that carries information about sounds from the cochlea to the brain

cochlea =the part of the inner ear that looks like a snail shell. It changes sound waves into signals that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain.

cochlear implant = device which changes sounds into electrical signals and sends them to the inner ear.

diagnose = when a doctor decides what disease or condition a person has

eardrum =circular piece of skin (like a drum skin) that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It turns sounds into vibrations.

finger spelling = used as part of sign language, to spell out words or names

hard of hearing =when someone finds it difficult to hear some sounds

hearing aid = device that amplifies sounds (makes them louder)

infection =disease in the body or part of the body

lip-read =when people can tell what someone is saying by watching the way their mouth moves when they speak

meningitis =serious illness where germs attack the lining of the brain, and which can damage a person’s hearing system (inner ear and auditory nerve)

microphone =piece of equipment that collects sounds and sends them out through a hearing aid or amplifier

nerves =parts of the body that look like pieces of string that take messages to and from the brain with information from our five senses (sight, taste, touch, hearing and smell)

nervous system =the body’s network of nerves

profoundly =when this word refers to a level of deafness it means near total deafness. Very few deaf people have no hearing at all.

radio aid =device worn by a teacher, which relays (passes) his or her voice directly into a deaf child’s hearing aid

sign language =language in which people use their hands, upper part of the body, facial expressions, and gestures to communicate

sound wave =the way sounds move in the air

specialist =doctor who has done extra training in one ’special’ subject, like hearing difficulties

vibrate/vibration =move backwards and forwards quickly. When you twang a ruler or an elastic band you can see the vibrations.