Cochlear Implant Acronyms & Vernacular
- ACE: Advanced Combined Encoder. A Cochlear signal coding strategy.
- Activation: the post-operative process by which the external sound processor is linked with the internal implant.
- ALD: Assisted living device or assisted listening device.
- AN: Auditory neuropathy
- ASL: American Sign Language
- ART: Auditory Response Telemetry; MED-EL’s measurement system of auditory nerve responses.
- Audio-Mixing: amplification ratio between two input device sources.
- Auria: Advanced Bionics’ previous generation sound processor introduced to market in 2002.
- BEA: Advanced Bionics’ “Bionic Ear Association”
- Bilateral: Both ears implanted.
- Bimodal: One implanted ear with a hearing aid other ear.
- Binaural: Hearing with both ears.
- Bluetooth: wireless technology.
- BSL: British Sign Language
- BTE: Behind the ear sound processor.
- BWP: Body worn sound processor.
- C1: Advanced Bionics’ first generation internal device (implant) introduced to market in 1996.
- C Level: Most comfortable level at the upper stimulation level, neither too loud nor too soft.
- CII: Advanced Bionics’ second generation internal device (implant) introduced to market in 2001.
- CI: Cochlear implant; often used to describe the complete implant package, the internal implant and external sound processor.
- CI24RE: Cochlear’s most current internal device (implant) introduced to market in 2005.
- CIS: Continuous Interleaved Sampling; A signal coding strategy used by Advanced Bionics, Cochlear and MED-EL.
- ClearVoice: CV; Advanced Bionics’ software program used with HiRes Fidelity 120 developed to automatically reduce background “noise.”
- CT/CAT: Computed tomography or Computed axial tomography
- dB: Decibels.
- ECAP: Electrically evoked compound action potential.
- Electrode Array: the part of the implant inserted into the cochlea to stimulate the auditory nerve.
- ENT: an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (Otolaryngologist)
- ESRT: Electrically evoked stapedial reflex threshold.
- EVA: Enlarged vestibular aqueduct.
- Fidelity120: F120; an Advanced Bionics signal coding strategy used with HiRes.
- Freedom: Cochlear’s fourth generation internal device (implant) introduced to market in 2005.
- FSP: Fine structure Processing; A MED-EL signal coding strategy.
- HA: Hearing aid
- Harmony: Advanced Bionics’ current BTE processor introduced in 2006.
- HiRes90K: Advanced Bionics’ most current internal device (implant) introduced to market in 2003.
- HiRes: High Resolution; an Advanced Bionics signal coding strategy.
- Headpiece: See “RF Coil”
- Hook Up: See “Activation”
- IDR: Input Dynamic Range.
- Magnet: Located in the center of the RF coil providing adhesion to the head. Often used when referring to the RF coil or headpiece. See “RF Coil”
- MAP/Mapping: A program adjustment made by an implant audiologist.
- M Level: Most comfortable level at the upper stimulation level, not too loud or too soft.
- MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- N22: Cochlear’s first generation internal device (implant) introduced to market in 1985.
- N24: Cochlear’s second generation internal device (implant) introduced to market in 1998.
- N24C: Cochlear’s contour (coiled) internal device (implant) introduced to market in 2002.
- N5: Nucleus 5; Cochlear’s most current implant system introduced to market in 2009.
- Neptune: Advanced Bionics’ most current generation body worn sound processor introduced to market in 2011.
- NRI: Neural Response Imaging; Advanced Bionics’ measurement system of auditory nerve responses.
- NRT: Neural Response Telemetry; Cochlear’s measurement system of auditory nerve responses.
- PSP: Platinum Series Sound Processor; Advanced Bionics’ previous generation body worn sound processor.
- RF: Radio Frequency.
- RF Coil: The external transmitting RF coil used to power and send signal to the implant.
- SAS: Simultaneous Analog Stimulation; an Advanced Bionics signal coding strategy for early generation implants. (See C1)
- Sequential surgery: Each ear implanted in separate surgeries
- Simultaneous surgery: Two ears implanted during one surgery
- Sound Processor: The external device that converts sound into electrical signal transmitted to the internal device (implant).
- SPEAK: A Cochlear signal coding strategy.
- Switch on: See “Activation.”
- T-Coil: Telecoil; A very small wire coil that serves as an antenna built into BTE processors and used to receive input signal from telephones, FM systems, etc.
- T Level: Threshold level; the least amount of stimulation that can be detected. Also called THR.
- T-Mic: Advanced Bionics’ patented in-the-ear (entrance to the ear canal) microphone, not to be confused with T-coil.
- Unilateral: One implanted ear
Other Sources
University of Iowa Cochlear Implant Center: Cochlear Implants Glossary
Drexel University College of Medicine : Cochlear implant: Alternative Names
Center for Hearing Loss Help: Glossary of Hearing Loss and Other Terms Related to Ears