Glossary of Communication Disorder Terms

Neuroplasticity: ability of the brain and/or certain parts of the nervous system to adapt to new conditions, such as an injury.
Neural prostheses: devices that substitute for an injured or diseased part of the nervous system, such as the cochlear implant.
Neural stimulation: to activate or energize a nerve through an external source.
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1 von Recklinghausen's): group of inherited disorders in which noncancerous tumors grow on several nerves that may include the hearing nerve. The symptoms of NF-1 include coffee-colored spots on the skin, enlargement, deformation of bones, and neurofibromas.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF-2): group of inherited disorders in which noncancerous tumors grow on several nerves that usually include the hearing nerve. The symptoms of NF-2 include tumors on the hearing nerve which can affect hearing and balance. NF-2 may occur in the teenage years with hearing loss. Also see acoustic neurinoma.
Neurogenic communication disorder: inability to exchange information with others because of hearing, speech, and/or language problems caused by impairment of the nervous system (brain or nerves).
Noise-induced hearing loss: hearing loss caused by exposure to harmful sounds, either very loud impulse sound(s) or repeated exposure to sounds over 90-decibel level over an extended period of time that damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear.
Nonsyndromic hereditary hearing impairment: hearing loss or deafness that is inherited and is not associated with other inherited clinical characteristics.