Hearing Aid Dispenser's Written Exam with 100% Correct Solutions

Hearing Aid Dispenser's Written Exam with 100% Correct Solutions Why do we perform audiometric tests? - CORRECT ANSWER-to determine the different characteristics of a hearing loss if one presents A hearing loss is characterized by what three descriptors? - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, mixed) 2. Degree of hearing loss (mild, moderate, etc) 3. Configuration of hearing loss or what the hearing loss looks like (ex: flat, rising, sloping, etc) Conductive hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-a loss that occurs when sound is NOT transmitted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum and ossicles of the middle ear. What can cause a conductive hearing loss? - CORRECT ANSWER-- middle or outer ear infection - perforated tympanic membrane - cerumen impaction - benign tumors - absence/malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear Can conductive hearing losses be medically treated? - CORRECT ANSWER-Yes (and surgically) Sensorineural hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain (retrocochlear) *permanent loss* What can cause a sensorineural hearing loss? - CORRECT ANSWER-- disease - birth injury - ototoxic drugs - genetic syndromes - noise exposure - viruses - head trauma - aging - tumors Can sensorineural hearing loss be medically or surgically corrected? - CORRECT ANSWER-No Mixed hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-occurs when there is damage to the outer and inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve * air-bone gap with abnormal air and bone conduction thresholds* Degree of hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-Normal: -10-25 Mild: 26-40 Moderate: 41-55 Moderately-severe: 56-70 Severe: 71-90 Profound: 91 + * pediatric normal: -10-15, slight: 16-25* The configuration (or shape) of the hearing loss refers to what? - CORRECT ANSWER1. extent of hearing loss at each frequency 2. overall picture of hearing that is created What are some configurations of hearing loss? - CORRECT ANSWER-- flat: generally varies within 10-15 dB at all frequencies - gently sloping: a gradual reduction from lower to higher frequencies - rising or reverse slope: greater hearing loss in the low frequencies, better hearing in the high frequencies - precipitous slope: (ski slope or high frequency) better hearing in the low frequency range to a severe drop in the high frequency range Noise-notch hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-- common with people that have had a history of noise exposure - noise notch between 3000 and 6000 Hz Unilateral hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-loss of hearing in one ear only Bilateral hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-loss of hearing in both ears Fluctuating hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-hearing loss that is always changing over time Stable hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-no change in hearing over time Sudden hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-loss of hearing that occurs quickly Progressive hearing loss - CORRECT ANSWER-loss of hearing that presents slowly over tim