Glossary of Communication Disorder Terms - P

P

Papillomavirus

group of viruses that can cause noncancerous wart-like tumors to grow on the surface of skin and internal organs such as the respiratory tract; can be life-threatening.

Parosmia

any disease or perversion of the sense of smell, especially the subjective perception of odors that do not exist.

Perception (Hearing)

process of knowing or being aware of information through the ear.

Perilymph fistula

leakage of inner ear fluid to the middle ear that occurs without apparent cause or that is associated with head trauma, physical exertion, or barotrauma.

Pervasive developmental disorders

disorders characterized by delays in several areas of development that may include socialization and communication.

Pheromones

chemical substances secreted by an animal that elicit a specific behavioral or physiological response in another animal of the same species.

Phonology

study of speech sounds.

Postlingually deafened

individual who becomes deaf after having acquired language.

Prelingually deafened

individual who is either born deaf or who lost his or her hearing early in childhood, before acquiring language.

Presbycusis

loss of hearing that gradually occurs because of changes in the inner or middle ear in individuals as they grow older.