CETP - Audiology: Anatomy, Physiology and
Acoustics Questions with Correct Answers
Health care professionals who provide a comprehensive array of services to diagnose, treat, and
prevent hearing impairment and its associated communication disorders - CORRECT ANSWER -
Audiologists
Three sections of the ear - CORRECT ANSWER -1) Outer
2) Middle
3) Inner
Efficient functioning of what is required for normal hearing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Efficient functioning of the ear sections AND an intact auditory nervous system/pathway are req
uired for normal hearing
Outer ear - CORRECT ANSWER --
Consists of the auricle (AKA pinna) and the external auditory meatus (AKA external auditory can
al)
-
Auricle = most visible part of the ear; made up of cartilage; funnels sound to the ear canal and
helps localize sound
-
EAM = 2.5 cm (1 inch) tube that travels from the pinna to the tympanic membrane/eardrum of
the middle ear; outer 1/3 made up of cartilage, inner 1/3 made up of bone (covered in skin); res
onates sounds that enters
T/F: The EAM is straight and cylindrical - CORRECT ANSWER -
F: The EAM curves slightly, like an S. Thus, when examining the ear canal using an otoscope, clini
cians have to pull the pinna up and back
, T/F: The EAM has special cells that secrete wax - CORRECT ANSWER -
T: Wax (AKA cerumen) functions to lubricate and cleanse the canal, protecting the ear from fung
i, bacteria, and small insects (SO STOP STICKING Q-TIPS UP THERE LOL)
Cerumen should be removed professionally. Using Q-
tips can lead to impaction, which blocks sound from reaching the eardrum
Middle ear - CORRECT ANSWER --
Air filled cavity separated from the outer ear by the tympanic membrane
- Contains three small bones which together form the ossicular chain
- The middle ear connects to the nasopharynx via the Eustachian Tube
Tympanic membrane
(AKA Eardrum) - CORRECT ANSWER --
Epidermal, fibrous, and mucosal layers (flexible and tough); rich in blood supply
- Held by the tympanic annulus
- Lateral surfaces are concave, medial surface is convex
-
Greatest surface area is pars tensa; looser areas are referred to as pars flaccida (AKA Sharpnell's
membrane)
- TM moves or vibrates in response to sound pressures
- The whole TM responds to low frequencies; only specific areas response to high frequencies
- Movement 1 billionth of a cm can stimulate hearing
T/F: The TM is rarely damaged - CORRECT ANSWER -
F: The TM is easily damaged (e.g., ruptured by Q-
tip; explosions or sudden pressure changes may also lead to ruptures).
Acoustics Questions with Correct Answers
Health care professionals who provide a comprehensive array of services to diagnose, treat, and
prevent hearing impairment and its associated communication disorders - CORRECT ANSWER -
Audiologists
Three sections of the ear - CORRECT ANSWER -1) Outer
2) Middle
3) Inner
Efficient functioning of what is required for normal hearing? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Efficient functioning of the ear sections AND an intact auditory nervous system/pathway are req
uired for normal hearing
Outer ear - CORRECT ANSWER --
Consists of the auricle (AKA pinna) and the external auditory meatus (AKA external auditory can
al)
-
Auricle = most visible part of the ear; made up of cartilage; funnels sound to the ear canal and
helps localize sound
-
EAM = 2.5 cm (1 inch) tube that travels from the pinna to the tympanic membrane/eardrum of
the middle ear; outer 1/3 made up of cartilage, inner 1/3 made up of bone (covered in skin); res
onates sounds that enters
T/F: The EAM is straight and cylindrical - CORRECT ANSWER -
F: The EAM curves slightly, like an S. Thus, when examining the ear canal using an otoscope, clini
cians have to pull the pinna up and back
, T/F: The EAM has special cells that secrete wax - CORRECT ANSWER -
T: Wax (AKA cerumen) functions to lubricate and cleanse the canal, protecting the ear from fung
i, bacteria, and small insects (SO STOP STICKING Q-TIPS UP THERE LOL)
Cerumen should be removed professionally. Using Q-
tips can lead to impaction, which blocks sound from reaching the eardrum
Middle ear - CORRECT ANSWER --
Air filled cavity separated from the outer ear by the tympanic membrane
- Contains three small bones which together form the ossicular chain
- The middle ear connects to the nasopharynx via the Eustachian Tube
Tympanic membrane
(AKA Eardrum) - CORRECT ANSWER --
Epidermal, fibrous, and mucosal layers (flexible and tough); rich in blood supply
- Held by the tympanic annulus
- Lateral surfaces are concave, medial surface is convex
-
Greatest surface area is pars tensa; looser areas are referred to as pars flaccida (AKA Sharpnell's
membrane)
- TM moves or vibrates in response to sound pressures
- The whole TM responds to low frequencies; only specific areas response to high frequencies
- Movement 1 billionth of a cm can stimulate hearing
T/F: The TM is rarely damaged - CORRECT ANSWER -
F: The TM is easily damaged (e.g., ruptured by Q-
tip; explosions or sudden pressure changes may also lead to ruptures).
