Assisting with Eye and Ear Care

Question 1

accommodation

Answer 1

the ability of the lens to change shape, allowing the eye to focus images of objects that are near or far away

Question 2

astigmatism

Answer 2

a condition in which the cornea has an abnormal shape, which causes blurred images during near or distant vision

Question 3

audiologist

Answer 3

a healthcare specialist who focuses on evaluating and correcting hearing problems

Question 4

audiometer

Answer 4

an electronic device that measures hearing acidity by producing sounds in specific frequencies and intensities

Question 5

cataracts

Answer 5

cloudy areas that form in the lens of the eye that prevent light from reaching visual receptors

Question 6

cochlear implant

Answer 6

amplification device surgically implanted with its stimulating electrodes inserted directly into the nonfunctioning cochlea

Question 7

conductive hearing loss

Answer 7

a type of hearing loss that occurs when sound waves cannot be conducted through the ear; most types are temporary

Question 8

conjunctivitis

Answer 8

an infection of the conjunctiva caused by bacteria, viruses, and allergies; symptoms may include discharge, red eyes, itching, and swollen eyelids; “pinkeye”; highly contagious

Question 9

decibels

Answer 9

units for measuring the relative intensity of sounds on a scale from 0 to 130

Question 10

frequency

Answer 10

the number of complete fluctuations of energy per second in the form of waves

Question 11

glaucoma

Answer 11

a condition in which too much pressure is created in the eye by excessive aqueous humor; this excess pressure can lead to permanent damage of the optic nerves, resulting in blindness

Question 12

hyperopia

Answer 12

a condition that occurs when light entering the eye is focused behind the retina; farsightedness

Question 13

Meniere’s disease

Answer 13

an inner-ear disease characterized by attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, and nausea; permanent hearing loss may result

Question 14

myopia

Answer 14

a condition that occurs when light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina; nearsightedness

Question 15

ophthalmoscope

Answer 15

a hand-held instrument with a light; used to view the inner eye structures

Question 16

otologist

Answer 16

a medical doctor who specializes in the health of the ear

Question 17

presbyopia

Answer 17

a common eye disorder that results in the loss of lens elasticity; develops with age and causes a person to have difficulty seeing objects close up

Question 18

refraction examination

Answer 18

an eye examination in which the patient looks through a succession of different lenses to find out which ones create the clearest image

Question 19

sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 19

hearing loss that occurs when neural structures associated with the ear are damaged; neural structures include hearing receptors and the auditory nerve

Question 20

slit lamp

Answer 20

an instrument composed of a magnifying lens combined with a light source; used to provide a minute examination of the eye’s anatomy

Question 21

tinnitus

Answer 21

an abnormal ringing in the ear

Question 22

tonometer

Answer 22

an instrument for determining pressure or tension, especially determining ocular tension