Hearing Aid Dispenser Written
Exam Actual Questions and
Verified Answers
1. What is the typical hearing loss range for a perforation of the tympanic
membrane (TM)?
A) 5-10 dB
B) 10-15 dB (Correct)
C) 20-25 dB
D) 30-40 dB
Explanation: Perforations of the TM usually cause a conductive hearing loss in the
range of 10-15 dB due to disruption of the tympanic membrane's ability to
efficiently transmit sound.
2. What procedure is done to repair a perforation of the TM?
A) Mastoidectomy
B) Tympanoplasty or Myringoplasty (Correct)
C) Stapedectomy
D) Ossiculoplasty
Explanation: Tympanoplasty or myringoplasty are surgical procedures used to
repair perforations of the tympanic membrane.
,3. What are monomeric spots?
A) Unhealed perforations
B) Looks like a hole but reflects light like a mirror, indicating healed holes, also
called "mirror membranes" (Correct)
C) Areas of calcium deposits on the TM
D) Areas of infection in the middle ear
Explanation: Monomeric spots are healed perforations that reflect light like a
mirror, resembling a hole but indicating the perforation has healed.
4. What are the average dimensions of an adult eardrum?
A) 1.5-2.0 cm in length, 0.5 cm in diameter
B) 2.3-2.9 cm in length, 0.7 cm in diameter (Correct)
C) 3.0-3.5 cm in length, 1.0 cm in diameter
D) 2.0-2.5 cm in length, 0.5 cm in diameter
Explanation: The adult tympanic membrane typically measures approximately 2.3
to 2.9 cm in length and about 0.7 cm in diameter.
5. Which part of the TM is pars tensa?
A) Upper 1/5, loose
B) Lower 4/5, tight (Correct)
C) Entire membrane, loose
D) Entire membrane, loose
,Explanation: The pars tensa constitutes the lower 4/5 of the TM and is taut,
providing the main vibratory surface.
6. Which part of the TM is pars flaccida?
A) Upper 1/5, loose (Correct)
B) Lower 4/5, tight
C) Entire membrane, tight
D) Entire membrane, loose
Explanation: The pars flaccida is the upper 1/5 of the TM, characterized by its
flaccid and loose structure.
7. Otitis externa is also known as:
A) "Swimmer's ear" – inflammation of the walls of the EAM (Correct)
B) Middle ear infection
C) Inner ear infection
D) Cholesteatoma
Explanation: Otitis externa, commonly called "swimmer's ear," is an infection or
inflammation of the external auditory canal walls.
8. What are polyps?
A) Masses of tissue that grow inward from a surface
B) Masses of tissue that grow outward from a surface (Correct)
, C) Fluid-filled sacs in the middle ear
D) Bony growths in the ear canal
Explanation: Polyps are masses of tissue that grow outward from surfaces, often
from mucous membranes.
9. Cholesteatoma is characterized by:
A) A benign tumor in the middle ear with odorous discharge, sometimes
perforating the upper TM, causing conductive loss (Correct)
B) A malignant tumor of the ear
C) Fluid in the middle ear without infection
D) External ear infection
Explanation: Cholesteatoma is a benign but destructive growth consisting of skin
and keratin debris, leading to conductive hearing loss and potential complications.
10. An enlarged canal as a result of ear surgery often has:
A) Intact eardrum and ossicular chain
B) No eardrum or ossicular chain, requiring physician approval before fitting
hearing aids (Correct)
C) Normal structure but with scar tissue
D) No need for medical approval before fitting aids
Explanation: Enlarged canals post-surgery often lack the normal structures, and
fitting hearing aids requires physician approval.
Exam Actual Questions and
Verified Answers
1. What is the typical hearing loss range for a perforation of the tympanic
membrane (TM)?
A) 5-10 dB
B) 10-15 dB (Correct)
C) 20-25 dB
D) 30-40 dB
Explanation: Perforations of the TM usually cause a conductive hearing loss in the
range of 10-15 dB due to disruption of the tympanic membrane's ability to
efficiently transmit sound.
2. What procedure is done to repair a perforation of the TM?
A) Mastoidectomy
B) Tympanoplasty or Myringoplasty (Correct)
C) Stapedectomy
D) Ossiculoplasty
Explanation: Tympanoplasty or myringoplasty are surgical procedures used to
repair perforations of the tympanic membrane.
,3. What are monomeric spots?
A) Unhealed perforations
B) Looks like a hole but reflects light like a mirror, indicating healed holes, also
called "mirror membranes" (Correct)
C) Areas of calcium deposits on the TM
D) Areas of infection in the middle ear
Explanation: Monomeric spots are healed perforations that reflect light like a
mirror, resembling a hole but indicating the perforation has healed.
4. What are the average dimensions of an adult eardrum?
A) 1.5-2.0 cm in length, 0.5 cm in diameter
B) 2.3-2.9 cm in length, 0.7 cm in diameter (Correct)
C) 3.0-3.5 cm in length, 1.0 cm in diameter
D) 2.0-2.5 cm in length, 0.5 cm in diameter
Explanation: The adult tympanic membrane typically measures approximately 2.3
to 2.9 cm in length and about 0.7 cm in diameter.
5. Which part of the TM is pars tensa?
A) Upper 1/5, loose
B) Lower 4/5, tight (Correct)
C) Entire membrane, loose
D) Entire membrane, loose
,Explanation: The pars tensa constitutes the lower 4/5 of the TM and is taut,
providing the main vibratory surface.
6. Which part of the TM is pars flaccida?
A) Upper 1/5, loose (Correct)
B) Lower 4/5, tight
C) Entire membrane, tight
D) Entire membrane, loose
Explanation: The pars flaccida is the upper 1/5 of the TM, characterized by its
flaccid and loose structure.
7. Otitis externa is also known as:
A) "Swimmer's ear" – inflammation of the walls of the EAM (Correct)
B) Middle ear infection
C) Inner ear infection
D) Cholesteatoma
Explanation: Otitis externa, commonly called "swimmer's ear," is an infection or
inflammation of the external auditory canal walls.
8. What are polyps?
A) Masses of tissue that grow inward from a surface
B) Masses of tissue that grow outward from a surface (Correct)
, C) Fluid-filled sacs in the middle ear
D) Bony growths in the ear canal
Explanation: Polyps are masses of tissue that grow outward from surfaces, often
from mucous membranes.
9. Cholesteatoma is characterized by:
A) A benign tumor in the middle ear with odorous discharge, sometimes
perforating the upper TM, causing conductive loss (Correct)
B) A malignant tumor of the ear
C) Fluid in the middle ear without infection
D) External ear infection
Explanation: Cholesteatoma is a benign but destructive growth consisting of skin
and keratin debris, leading to conductive hearing loss and potential complications.
10. An enlarged canal as a result of ear surgery often has:
A) Intact eardrum and ossicular chain
B) No eardrum or ossicular chain, requiring physician approval before fitting
hearing aids (Correct)
C) Normal structure but with scar tissue
D) No need for medical approval before fitting aids
Explanation: Enlarged canals post-surgery often lack the normal structures, and
fitting hearing aids requires physician approval.
