Malleus (mallet)
One of the three small bones in the middle ear; shaped like a hammer, attached to the eardrum and the incus; starts a rocking motion along the ossicles.

Meniere’s Disease
Affecting the membranous inner ear, it causes deafness dizziness-vertigo and ringing in the ear-tinnitus.

Middle Ear
Includes the ear drum, three tiny middle ear bones, and the Eustachian tube.

Mild Hearing Loss
Hearing loss of 25 to 40 dB. Makes it difficult to understand soft-spoken speech and to pay attention, especially in noisy environments.

Mixed Hearing Loss
Results from having a conductive hearing loss and a sensorineural hearing loss at the same time.

Moderate Hearing Loss
Hearing loss of 41 to 55 dB. An individual with a 40 dB loss would need to be 3-5 feet from the sound source to hear it.

Moderately Severe Hearing Loss
Hearing loss of 56 to 70 dB. Sounds must be very loud for an individual with a 70 dB loss to hear.

Most Comfortable Loudness Level (MCL)
Level at which speech is heard and understood with ease.