The Hearing Dictionary Online - J, K, L

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J

Just Noticeable Difference (JND) - also known as difference limen (DL) or differential threshold. The smallest change in frequency or intensity that can be recognized. As the smallest recognizable change in intensity, it approximates the decibel.

K

Kanamycin (see also Neomycin, and Streptomycin) - Generally the effect of these drugs on hearing is profound, although their effect is of course related to the dosage. Since physicians are well aware to the hearing from these drugs, large doses are prescribed only when urgent as a life-saving measure. When the saving of life is involved, sacrifice of the hearing assumes a secondary importance. 

Keratosis obturans - a hard plug of wax and dry skin sometimes found in the external and auditory canal

Kinesthetic cues - bodily sensations that aid a deaf person in controlling speech, e.g., jaw and lip positions and nasal vibrations

Kymograph - a device that makes a record of sound vibrations by means of a stylus activated by a tuning fork as a rotating cylinder passes beneath it.

L

Labyrinth - the inner ear including the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals

Lip Read - to understand by close observation of the speaker's lips. It is now more commonly know as speechreading, since facial expression and gestures enter into communication. 

Listening Stethoscope - a stethoscope which couples to hearing aids, designed for listening to and checking the aids

Lobule - A landmark of the outer ear.  The very bottom part of the outer ear.

Loudness - perception or psychological impression of the intensity of sound. It is determined partly by the number of auditory nerve fibers activated by the sound wave and partly by the number of impulses carried by each fiber. The unit of measurement of subjective loudness is the "sone."

Loudness Level - the loudness level of a sound is determined by comparison for equal loudness with a 1000 Hz tone re .0002 dyne c/m2 when heard binaurally in sound field. The unit of loudness level is known as the "phon." It is numerically equal to the SPL of the 1000 Hz tone, but varies with frequency.

Low Frequency - an inexact term that generally refers to a frequency of 1000 Hz and below

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HearingCentreOnline.com would like to thank and acknowledge Starkey Labs and Siemens Hearing for their generous contributions of some of the definitions in this online dictionary of hearing terms.

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