Medical Terminology Simplified

Ear

Benign tumor that develops from the eighth cranial (vestibulocochlear) nerve and

grows within the auditory canal

Depending on the location and size of the tumor, progressive hearing loss, headache,

facial numbness, dizziness, and an unsteady gait may result.

Decreased ability to perceive sounds compared to what the individual or examiner

would regard as normal

Total deafness (complete hearing loss)

Hearing loss resulting from any condition that prevents sound waves from being

transmitted to the auditory receptors

Conductive hearing loss may result from wax obstructing the external auditory canal, inflam-

mation of the middle ear, ankylosis of the ear bones, or fixation of the footplate of the stirrup.

Hearing loss that results from exposure to very loud sounds

Working with noisy machinery, listening to loud music, or discharging rifles, guns, or

explosives may cause noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing loss caused by permanent or temporary damage to the sensory cells or nerve

fibers of the inner ear

Rare disorder of unknown etiology within the labyrinth of the inner ear that can lead

to a progressive loss of hearing

Symptoms of Ménière disease include vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of

pressure in the ear.

Infection of the external auditory canal

Otitis externa can develop when water remains in the outer ear canal, most commonly

after swimming (swimmer’s ear). Other causes include allergies, eczema, and a foreign

object lodged in the ear.

Additional Medical Terms • CHAPTER 11 529529

otitis externa

ō-TĪ-tĭs

ot: ear

-itis: inflammation

Ménière disease

mĕn-ē-ĀR

hearing loss

anacusis

ăn-ă-KŪ-sĭs

an-: without, not

-acusis: hearing

conductive

kŏn-DŬK-tĭv

noise-induced

sensorineural

sĕn-sō-rē-NŪ-răl

sensori: to feel

neur: nerve

-al: pertaining to

acoustic neuroma

a-KOOS-tĭk nū-RŌ-mă

acous: hearing

-tic: pertaining to

neur: nerve

-oma: tumor