Audiology Praxis Study Set -Assessment
section UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
State the purpose of audiological assessments in terms of the three aspects of hearing loss.
Describe what the audiologist looks for in relation to each aspect. - CORRECT
ANSWER - The purpose of audiological assessment is to get quantitative and qualitative
information on hearing loss in terms of the amount, the type, and the configuration. The amount
of hearing loss is a quantitative measurement expressed in dB. It is tested using pure tones at
frequencies between 500-4000Hz. the severity of hearing loss can be classified as Mild 20-40dB,
moderate 41-60 dB, severe from 61-80 dB, and profound 81dB+ (levels vary). the type of loss is
related to the location of damage in the auditory system. It is classified as conductive (outer or
middle ear), sensorineural (cochlea, inner ear, auditory nerve), or mixed a combination of both.
loss configuration is qualitative. determining the configuration of hearing loss involves
distinguishing between bilateral and unilateral loss; symmetrical or asymmetrical loss; high
frequency or low frequency; flat, sloping, or precipitous loss, progressive or sudden loss; and
stable or fluctuating loss.
Summarize the procedure for an air conduction test using pure tone audiometry. Describe some
alternative patient responses used when testing infants, toddlers, and young children. -
CORRECT ANSWER - When testing air conduction hearing, the audiometers earphones
are placed over the patients ears. The audiometer sends pure tones via the earphones through the
air into the ear canal. The patient is instructed to raise a hand or finger, point to the ear hearing
the tone, press a button, or speak outloud to show s/he hears the tone. with infants, audiologists
observe behavioral changes, such as sucking activity; increase or decrease in motor activity,
looking for the sound, and or signs of attention to a sound. Correct responses are rewarded by
allowing the child to view an animated toy, this is called visual reinforcement audiometry
(VRA). Conditioned play audiometry can be used with young children. Instead of raising a hand,
pointing, etc., they may be instructed to drop a block in a box, or put a ring over a rod as a
response.
Define pure tone average. explain when and how it is calculated and give an example. -
CORRECT ANSWER - The pure tone average is a representation of the amount of hearing
loss is in each ear. It is measured in decibels (dB). Unlike some other audiological measures such
as word recognition and supra-threshold SRA, it is not expressed as a percentage. An audiologist
calculates pure tone average after completing pure tone audiometric testing and plotting on an
audiogram. The persons hearing thresholds at 500,1000, and 2000 (main speech frequencies) are
averaged for each ear.
,Describe some types of and benefits of audiological rehabilitation services as they relate to
hearing aids. - CORRECT ANSWER - It has been demonstrated clinically that
audiological rehabilitation services assist people who have been prescribed hearing aids to accept
their new hearing aids and benefit more from using them. These services also help people with
hearing aids resolve many residual communication problems, as well as problems adjusting to
having a hearing loss and using a hearing aid. Audiological rehabilitation services include
adaptive training in amplification and other assistive devices or technologies; training in speech
reading; tactile training; auditory training; individual counseling; family counseling; group
counseling; and training and guidance in the development of communication strategies. Research
has proven the effectiveness of such services. Audiological rehabilitation not only fosters both
compliance and success with the use of hearing aids, but also enhances the psycho social and
communicative functioning of people with hearing loss. In addition, research has proven that
delivering audiological rehabilitative services in coordination with fittings for hearing aids is
cost-effective.
Name and describe some audiological measures of
middle ear function. Describe some steps an
audiologist may take following a full audiological
assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER - Measurements that give the examiner information
regarding outer and middle ear status are known as acoustic immittance measures. One
component of immittance measurement is tympanometry. Tympanometry assesses eardrum
function, and can identify wax buildup in the canal, eardrum perforation, and fluid in the middle
ear. Another component of immittance testing is acoustic reflex measurement. This tests the
acoustic reflex, or the stapedius reflex, wherein the stapedius muscle reacts to sudden loud sound
by pulling the stapes foot plate away from the oval window. This has the effect of damping the
inner ear's sound transmission, preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Testing this reflex can
give information pertinent to middle ear function, hearing loss, and diagnosis. Following the full
audiological evaluation, the audiologist develops a profile of the patient's hearing abilities and
needs by reviewing each part of the assessment. If indicated, the audiologist recommends
medical and/or educational referrals; sensory assessment; hearing aid and/or assistive listening
device assessment; assessments for aural rehabilitation, speech, and language; and/or counseling.
Describe how frequency and intensity are plotted on
an audiogram. - CORRECT ANSWER - Frequency or wavelength, perceived as pitch,
goes from left (lowest) to right (highest) along the X (horizontal) axis of the graph. Frequencies
, audiologists test include 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. Intensity,
perceived as loudness, goes from top (softest) to bottom (loudest) along the Y (vertical) axis. It is
measured in decibels (dB). The audiologist plots a point corresponding to the lowest dB level at
which the individual can hear each frequency, using O for the right ear and X for the left ear. The
Xs and Os are connected to create a line or curve for each ear. If this line's configuration is flat,
the person's acuity is equal for every frequency presented. If it slopes down at the right, low-
frequency hearing is better and high-frequency hearing is worse. If it rises to the right, high-
frequency hearing is better and low-frequency hearing is worse. Symmetrical configuration
shows equal hearing levels in both ears. Asymmetrical configuration means hearing levels are
different for each ear.
Discuss the impact of hearing loss on adults and
intervention. - CORRECT ANSWER - Hearing loss is one of the most frequent causes of
chronic disability in the U.S. It can be congenital, inherited, or due to aging, trauma, disease,
or ototoxic agents. Hearing impairment has an impact not only on communication functioning,
but also on the psychological and social functioning and overall well-being of millions of
individuals. It also has an impact on those individuals' family members, friends, employers, and
co-workers. A report by the National Council on Aging found that adults with no intervention for
their hearing loss tend to report symptoms of depression and anxiety more often, and tend to
participate in organized social activities less often than adults who have hearing aids. Hearing
aids are the intervention recommended for the majority of adults with hearing loss.
Unfortunately, one in five people who get hearing aids stop using them. Even those who use
them show significant signs of residual disability.
Define the terms validity and reliability as they relate
to assessment instruments, and differentiate between
the two. - CORRECT ANSWER - Assessment instruments must be both valid and reliable
for their results to be accurate and meaningful. Validity means that an instrument tests/ measures
what it purports to test/measure. Reliability means that
an instrument's administration can be repeated and can obtain consistent results across
repetitions. A test may be reliable but not valid. For example, it may yield the same results when
replicated, but may not measure what it is meant to measure. However, the converse is not true.
A test that is valid will not be unreliable (assuming the variable measured is not changed).
Normally, instruments that are valid are also reliable. Because they measure what they are
intended to measure, they can be replicated with the same results. Validity is situation-specific in
that an instrument may be valid for some purposes but not others. Reliability is not situation-
specific in that a reliable instrument should
section UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
State the purpose of audiological assessments in terms of the three aspects of hearing loss.
Describe what the audiologist looks for in relation to each aspect. - CORRECT
ANSWER - The purpose of audiological assessment is to get quantitative and qualitative
information on hearing loss in terms of the amount, the type, and the configuration. The amount
of hearing loss is a quantitative measurement expressed in dB. It is tested using pure tones at
frequencies between 500-4000Hz. the severity of hearing loss can be classified as Mild 20-40dB,
moderate 41-60 dB, severe from 61-80 dB, and profound 81dB+ (levels vary). the type of loss is
related to the location of damage in the auditory system. It is classified as conductive (outer or
middle ear), sensorineural (cochlea, inner ear, auditory nerve), or mixed a combination of both.
loss configuration is qualitative. determining the configuration of hearing loss involves
distinguishing between bilateral and unilateral loss; symmetrical or asymmetrical loss; high
frequency or low frequency; flat, sloping, or precipitous loss, progressive or sudden loss; and
stable or fluctuating loss.
Summarize the procedure for an air conduction test using pure tone audiometry. Describe some
alternative patient responses used when testing infants, toddlers, and young children. -
CORRECT ANSWER - When testing air conduction hearing, the audiometers earphones
are placed over the patients ears. The audiometer sends pure tones via the earphones through the
air into the ear canal. The patient is instructed to raise a hand or finger, point to the ear hearing
the tone, press a button, or speak outloud to show s/he hears the tone. with infants, audiologists
observe behavioral changes, such as sucking activity; increase or decrease in motor activity,
looking for the sound, and or signs of attention to a sound. Correct responses are rewarded by
allowing the child to view an animated toy, this is called visual reinforcement audiometry
(VRA). Conditioned play audiometry can be used with young children. Instead of raising a hand,
pointing, etc., they may be instructed to drop a block in a box, or put a ring over a rod as a
response.
Define pure tone average. explain when and how it is calculated and give an example. -
CORRECT ANSWER - The pure tone average is a representation of the amount of hearing
loss is in each ear. It is measured in decibels (dB). Unlike some other audiological measures such
as word recognition and supra-threshold SRA, it is not expressed as a percentage. An audiologist
calculates pure tone average after completing pure tone audiometric testing and plotting on an
audiogram. The persons hearing thresholds at 500,1000, and 2000 (main speech frequencies) are
averaged for each ear.
,Describe some types of and benefits of audiological rehabilitation services as they relate to
hearing aids. - CORRECT ANSWER - It has been demonstrated clinically that
audiological rehabilitation services assist people who have been prescribed hearing aids to accept
their new hearing aids and benefit more from using them. These services also help people with
hearing aids resolve many residual communication problems, as well as problems adjusting to
having a hearing loss and using a hearing aid. Audiological rehabilitation services include
adaptive training in amplification and other assistive devices or technologies; training in speech
reading; tactile training; auditory training; individual counseling; family counseling; group
counseling; and training and guidance in the development of communication strategies. Research
has proven the effectiveness of such services. Audiological rehabilitation not only fosters both
compliance and success with the use of hearing aids, but also enhances the psycho social and
communicative functioning of people with hearing loss. In addition, research has proven that
delivering audiological rehabilitative services in coordination with fittings for hearing aids is
cost-effective.
Name and describe some audiological measures of
middle ear function. Describe some steps an
audiologist may take following a full audiological
assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER - Measurements that give the examiner information
regarding outer and middle ear status are known as acoustic immittance measures. One
component of immittance measurement is tympanometry. Tympanometry assesses eardrum
function, and can identify wax buildup in the canal, eardrum perforation, and fluid in the middle
ear. Another component of immittance testing is acoustic reflex measurement. This tests the
acoustic reflex, or the stapedius reflex, wherein the stapedius muscle reacts to sudden loud sound
by pulling the stapes foot plate away from the oval window. This has the effect of damping the
inner ear's sound transmission, preventing noise-induced hearing loss. Testing this reflex can
give information pertinent to middle ear function, hearing loss, and diagnosis. Following the full
audiological evaluation, the audiologist develops a profile of the patient's hearing abilities and
needs by reviewing each part of the assessment. If indicated, the audiologist recommends
medical and/or educational referrals; sensory assessment; hearing aid and/or assistive listening
device assessment; assessments for aural rehabilitation, speech, and language; and/or counseling.
Describe how frequency and intensity are plotted on
an audiogram. - CORRECT ANSWER - Frequency or wavelength, perceived as pitch,
goes from left (lowest) to right (highest) along the X (horizontal) axis of the graph. Frequencies
, audiologists test include 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. Intensity,
perceived as loudness, goes from top (softest) to bottom (loudest) along the Y (vertical) axis. It is
measured in decibels (dB). The audiologist plots a point corresponding to the lowest dB level at
which the individual can hear each frequency, using O for the right ear and X for the left ear. The
Xs and Os are connected to create a line or curve for each ear. If this line's configuration is flat,
the person's acuity is equal for every frequency presented. If it slopes down at the right, low-
frequency hearing is better and high-frequency hearing is worse. If it rises to the right, high-
frequency hearing is better and low-frequency hearing is worse. Symmetrical configuration
shows equal hearing levels in both ears. Asymmetrical configuration means hearing levels are
different for each ear.
Discuss the impact of hearing loss on adults and
intervention. - CORRECT ANSWER - Hearing loss is one of the most frequent causes of
chronic disability in the U.S. It can be congenital, inherited, or due to aging, trauma, disease,
or ototoxic agents. Hearing impairment has an impact not only on communication functioning,
but also on the psychological and social functioning and overall well-being of millions of
individuals. It also has an impact on those individuals' family members, friends, employers, and
co-workers. A report by the National Council on Aging found that adults with no intervention for
their hearing loss tend to report symptoms of depression and anxiety more often, and tend to
participate in organized social activities less often than adults who have hearing aids. Hearing
aids are the intervention recommended for the majority of adults with hearing loss.
Unfortunately, one in five people who get hearing aids stop using them. Even those who use
them show significant signs of residual disability.
Define the terms validity and reliability as they relate
to assessment instruments, and differentiate between
the two. - CORRECT ANSWER - Assessment instruments must be both valid and reliable
for their results to be accurate and meaningful. Validity means that an instrument tests/ measures
what it purports to test/measure. Reliability means that
an instrument's administration can be repeated and can obtain consistent results across
repetitions. A test may be reliable but not valid. For example, it may yield the same results when
replicated, but may not measure what it is meant to measure. However, the converse is not true.
A test that is valid will not be unreliable (assuming the variable measured is not changed).
Normally, instruments that are valid are also reliable. Because they measure what they are
intended to measure, they can be replicated with the same results. Validity is situation-specific in
that an instrument may be valid for some purposes but not others. Reliability is not situation-
specific in that a reliable instrument should
