Sound used by an audiologist to prevent one ear from hearing while the other is being tested.

Any sound that serves to cover up another. In regards to hearing aids, it usually refers to background sounds covering up what a person wants to hear, or to the sound coming from the hearing aid helping to cover up a person’s tinnitus.

The process of programming a cochlear implant speech processor with various speech strategies.

The program stored in the speech processor of a cochlear implant that tells the system how to process sound on each channel so that it is most audible and comfortable for the individual user. Each implant user’s map varies considerably from every other user. Maps also change over time.

The first of the three middle ear bones. It is the bone touching the eardrum. Commonly called the Hammer.

The concept that students with disabilities should be integrated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent possible, when appropriate to the needs of the student with the disability. This concept means that hard of hearing and Deaf children should go to regular schools rather than to special schools for the Deaf.