| Apoptosis | A method of cellular degeneration and eventual death (of a cell). |
| Bion | The physiological individual, characterized by definiteness and independence of function, in distinction from the morphological individual or morphon. |
| Cochlear Implant | A medical device implanted deep in the ear near the cochlea. |
| Growth Factor | One or more conditions affecting cellular growth such as neurotrophins or other chemical stimuli |
| Hair Cell | Tiny hair like projections jutting from the top of the cell in bundles such as those residing in the cochlea. |
| Ménière's Disease | A disabling condition where hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo and a feeling of fullness in the ear come together in various proportions and extents, and is a progressive distention of the endolymphatic space of the inner ear, with possible fluid build-up in the endolymphatic space (endolymphatic hydrops), caused either by overproduction or reduced absorption which exposes hair cells responsible for sensing movement and balance which causes progressive damage or paralysis. The result of that paralysis is that the person has an attack of dizziness, often with nausea and vomiting. |
| Neurotransmitter | A highly complex specialized cellular structure responsible for the conversion and transmission of physical to electrical signals used by the brain for all of our senses. |
| Neurotrophin | Complex molecules that provide a very complex method of signaling to and from cells of the body. |
| Spiral ganglion | The sensory ganglion of the cochlear nerve. |
| Tinnitus | Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears or head when no external sound is present. To some it is just an annoyance, to others it is a life altering disease. |