Hearing Aid Terms: An Arabic–English Glossary for Tests and Fittings

AudiologyOctober 13, 20268 min read

This glossary explains the hearing aid terms you are most likely to meet in a hearing test report, a fitting appointment or a product page, each with its Arabic equivalent. It is grouped by topic, from testing and hearing loss to parts, styles, batteries, sound features and connectivity, so you can find a word quickly and understand what it means for you.

Hearing care uses a lot of English words and abbreviations, and many families in Oman hear them in English, read them in Arabic and use a mix of both at home. A shared vocabulary makes appointments easier: you can describe problems more precisely, follow the audiologist's explanation and compare options with confidence. For a wider introduction to the field, see our audiology knowledge centre.

Hearing aid terms for testing and hearing loss

Tests and results

Audiologist (أخصائي السمعيات): a professional who assesses hearing and selects, fits and adjusts hearing aids.
Hearing test (فحص السمع): an assessment of how well each ear hears. At our clinic it may include pure-tone audiometry, speech testing when needed and a middle-ear check.
Audiogram (مخطط السمع): the chart of your results, showing the softest sounds you hear at different pitches in each ear. Our guide on how to read an audiogram explains it step by step.
Pure-tone audiometry (قياس السمع بالنغمات النقية): listening for beeps at different pitches and loudness levels and responding when you hear them.
Middle-ear check (فحص الأذن الوسطى): a quick test of how the eardrum and middle ear are working.
Decibel, dB (الديسيبل): the unit for loudness. On an audiogram, a higher number means a sound had to be louder before you heard it.
Frequency, Hz (التردد): the pitch of a sound, from low (deep) to high (sharp).

Types and degrees of hearing loss

Degree (درجة ضعف السمع): usually described as mild, moderate, severe or profound, based on the audiogram.
Sensorineural, conductive and mixed (حسي عصبي، توصيلي، مختلط): the type of hearing loss, depending on which part of the ear is affected. The test helps decide whether medical review is needed first.
Single-sided hearing loss (ضعف السمع في أذن واحدة): little or no usable hearing in one ear, sometimes managed with a CROS system.
Sudden hearing loss (فقدان السمع المفاجئ): a rapid drop in hearing. It is a medical emergency that needs same-day medical care.

Hearing aid parts

Microphone (الميكروفون): picks up sound. According to the NIDCD, a hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, an amplifier and a speaker.
Processor / amplifier (المعالج / المضخّم): processes the sound and makes it louder by the amounts your programming sets.
Receiver (المستقبِل): the hearing aid's speaker, which delivers sound into the ear. Our catalogue lists receiver options with codes such as LP, MP, HP and UP for some families.
Dome (الغطاء المرن): a soft tip on the receiver or tube that sits in the ear canal.
Earmould (القالب): a custom-made piece shaped from an impression of your ear, used when a closer or more secure fit is needed.
Wax guard (واقي الشمع): a small filter that protects the receiver from ear wax and is replaced regularly.
Push button or toggle (زر الضغط أو المفتاح): a control on the hearing aid for changing programs or volume, depending on how it is programmed.

Hearing aid styles

BTE, behind-the-ear (سماعة خلف الأذن): the hearing aid sits behind the ear and sends sound through a tube. The NIDCD lists BTE aids for mild to profound hearing loss.
Mini, Standard, Power and Super Power BTE: size and power categories used in our catalogue for behind-the-ear models.
RIC / RIE, receiver-in-canal or receiver-in-ear (سماعة المستقبِل داخل القناة): a small case behind the ear with a thin wire to a receiver in the canal. MiniRIE and MicroRIE are smaller designs in some families.
ITE, in-the-ear (سماعة داخل الأذن): a custom shell filling part of the outer ear; the NIDCD lists ITE aids for mild to severe hearing loss.
CIC, completely-in-canal (سماعة داخل القناة بالكامل): a small custom device deep in the ear canal. The NIDCD lists canal aids for mild to moderately severe loss and notes their small size limits power.
CROS (نظام CROS): a transmitter worn on the ear without usable hearing sends sound to the hearing ear. A CROS transmitter is not a hearing aid itself.

Our article on hearing aid styles compared explains the trade-offs between these styles.

Batteries and charging

Zinc-air battery (بطارية زنك-هواء): a disposable battery activated when its sticker is removed. Our catalogue lists sizes 10, 312, 13 and 675 across different models.
Rechargeable (قابلة للشحن): a built-in battery charged in a charger, usually overnight, instead of changing batteries.

Sound processing and features

Digital hearing aid (السماعة الرقمية): converts sound into numerical codes so it can be programmed to amplify some pitches more than others, as the NIDCD describes.
Technology level (مستوى التقنية): how much the hearing aid adapts automatically to noisy and changing places. Levels in our catalogue include Essential, Essential Plus, Select, Advanced and Premium.
Channels (القنوات): the frequency bands a hearing aid adjusts separately; models in our catalogue list between 8 and 17.
Program (البرنامج): a group of settings for a situation, such as quiet conversation or noise, set by the audiologist.
Directional microphones (الميكروفونات الاتجاهية): focus on sound from a particular direction, usually in front of you.
Noise reduction (تقليل الضوضاء): processing that softens steady background noise. It reduces noise; it does not remove it.
Feedback (التغذية الراجعة / الصفير): whistling when amplified sound leaks back to the microphone. Feedback cancellation reduces it.
Telecoil, T-coil (الملف المغناطيسي): a small coil inside many hearing aids that picks up magnetic signals from loop systems and some phones.
DAI, direct audio input (الإدخال الصوتي المباشر): listed for some models in our catalogue; ask your audiologist how it would be used with yours.
IP68 (تصنيف IP68): a rating for resistance to dust and water. Resistance does not make a hearing aid suitable for swimming, and hearing aids dropped into liquids are not covered by our warranty.

Connectivity and accessories

Bluetooth streaming (البث عبر البلوتوث): sending calls and audio from a phone or tablet straight to the hearing aids, on compatible models and phones.
Hands-free calls (المكالمات دون استخدام اليدين): talking on the phone through the hearing aids without holding the phone; several families list this for iPhone 11 or later with iOS 15.3 or later.
LE Audio (البلوتوث منخفض الطاقة للصوت): a newer Bluetooth audio standard listed for some families.
Auracast (Auracast): broadcast audio that lets compatible devices join a shared audio stream.
Remote microphone (الميكروفون عن بعد): worn by a speaker or placed on a table to send their voice to the hearing aids, such as Danavox Multi-Mic+.
TV streamer (جهاز بث التلفاز): sends TV sound to the hearing aids, such as Danavox TV-Streamer+.
Hearing loop (الحلقة السمعية): according to the NIDCD, a system that uses electromagnetic energy to send sound, picked up through a telecoil.

Fitting and follow-up

Fitting (التركيب): the appointment where hearing aids are programmed to your results, checked for fit, and you learn to use and care for them.
Ear impression (طبعة الأذن): a mould of the ear taken when a custom earmould or shell is needed.
Fine-tuning (الضبط الدقيق): small programming changes at follow-up visits as you get used to the sound.
Occlusion effect (تأثير الانسداد): your own voice sounding loud or hollow; the NIDCD notes most people get used to it.
OTC hearing aid (سماعة دون وصفة): in the United States, the FDA describes over-the-counter hearing aids as intended for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Warranty (الضمان): at Jordan Hearing & Speech, one year from the date of purchase for Danavox hearing aids bought from us, with conditions and exclusions listed on our hearing aids page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to learn these terms before my appointment?

No. The audiologist explains everything during the visit. Knowing a few words, such as audiogram, receiver or dome, simply makes it easier to ask questions and describe problems.

What is the difference between a receiver and a speaker?

They are the same part. "Receiver" is the hearing care term for the small speaker that delivers sound into the ear.

Is RIC the same as RIE?

Yes. Both describe a hearing aid with the receiver placed in the ear canal and a small case behind the ear. Manufacturers use one name or the other.

Which term should I mention if my hearing aid whistles?

Say "feedback" or "whistling", and mention when it happens. Our article on whistling explains common causes.

Book an appointment

If you would like your results explained in plain language, book an appointment for an adult hearing test at our clinic in Bousher, Muscat, opposite Oman Mall. You do not need a referral, and you can call or WhatsApp +968 9171 8373.

Sources

NIDCD (NIH) — Hearing aids
NIDCD (NIH) — Assistive devices for people with hearing, voice, speech or language disorders
FDA — Hearing aids
Danavox product details as published in our hearing aids catalogue on this site.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Adult Hearing Tests & Assessment