MARYLAND — HEARING AID DISPENSERS PRACTICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
*- Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear*
*- Audiometric Testing Procedures*
*- Hearing Aid Technology and Features*
*- Fitting and Dispensing Protocols*
*- Ear Impressions and Earmold Fabrication*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Maryland State Laws*
*- Ethics and Professional Standards*
*- Customer Care and Rehabilitation*
*- Hearing Loss Types and Characteristics*
*- Troubleshooting and Maintenance*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates candidates preparing for the Maryland Hearing Aid Dispensers
Practical Examination. The exam measures essential competencies required for safe, lawful, and effective
practice in hearing aid dispensing. Questions assess both foundational knowledge and applied clinical
decision-making through multiple-choice and scenario-based formats. Candidates will demonstrate
proficiency in audiometric testing, hearing aid selection and fitting, ear impression techniques, regulatory
compliance with Maryland Board requirements, ethical practice standards, and customer rehabilitation.
Emphasis is placed on real-world application, critical thinking, and professional judgment needed to serve
clients with hearing loss effectively. Success requires mastery of technical skills, legal obligations, and patient-
centered care principles.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which structure of the ear is primarily responsible for converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations?
A. Cochlea
B. Ossicles
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Auditory nerve
🟢 C. Tympanic membrane
🔴 RATIONALE: The tympanic membrane (eardrum) converts sound waves from the air into mechanical
vibrations that are transmitted to the ossicles. The cochlea converts mechanical vibrations to neural signals, the
ossicles transmit vibrations, and the auditory nerve carries neural signals to the brain.
Question 2
A client presents with a hearing loss where air conduction thresholds are 50 dB HL and bone conduction
thresholds are 20 dB HL at 1000 Hz. What type of hearing loss is this?
A. Sensorineural hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Normal hearing
🟢 B. Conductive hearing loss
,🔴 RATIONALE: Conductive hearing loss is characterized by an air-bone gap where air conduction thresholds
are worse than bone conduction thresholds by at least 10 dB. Here, there is a 30 dB air-bone gap (50 - 20 = 30),
indicating conductive loss. Sensorineural loss shows no air-bone gap, and mixed loss has both conductive and
sensorineural components.
Question 3
According to Maryland regulations, what is the minimum passing score required on the practical examination
for hearing aid dispensers?
A. 70 percent
B. 75 percent
C. 80 percent
D. 85 percent
🟢 C. 80 percent
🔴 RATIONALE: The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 10.41.08.05) specifies that an applicant shall
obtain a score of at least 80 percent on the practical examination to pass.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice when taking an ear impression?
A. Inject impression material toward the periphery of the ear canal
B. Pull the pinna up and back for adults to straighten the canal
C. Insert the occluder deep into the ear canal past the second bend
D. Check for undercuts before removing the impression
, 🟢 C. Insert the occluder deep into the ear canal past the second bend
🔴 RATIONALE: The occluder (plug) should be inserted only 2-3 mm into the ear canal to prevent material
from passing into the middle ear. Inserting it past the second bend is dangerous and could cause material to
enter the middle ear. The other options are correct techniques for ear impression taking.
Question 5
A hearing aid client reports whistling when the device is in their ear. What is the most likely cause?
A. Battery is low
B. Feedback due to poor fit or vent too large
C. Wax blockage in the microphone
D. Program selection error
🟢 B. Feedback due to poor fit or vent too large
🔴 RATIONALE: Whistling (acoustic feedback) occurs when amplified sound leaks out of the ear and is re-
entered into the microphone, creating a feedback loop. This is typically caused by a poor seal, improper fit, or a
vent that is too large. Low battery causes weak sound, wax blockage reduces sound input, and program errors
affect sound characteristics but don't cause whistling.
Question 6
Which hearing aid style is most appropriate for a client with severe to profound hearing loss who wants
maximum power and features?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear*
*- Audiometric Testing Procedures*
*- Hearing Aid Technology and Features*
*- Fitting and Dispensing Protocols*
*- Ear Impressions and Earmold Fabrication*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Maryland State Laws*
*- Ethics and Professional Standards*
*- Customer Care and Rehabilitation*
*- Hearing Loss Types and Characteristics*
*- Troubleshooting and Maintenance*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates candidates preparing for the Maryland Hearing Aid Dispensers
Practical Examination. The exam measures essential competencies required for safe, lawful, and effective
practice in hearing aid dispensing. Questions assess both foundational knowledge and applied clinical
decision-making through multiple-choice and scenario-based formats. Candidates will demonstrate
proficiency in audiometric testing, hearing aid selection and fitting, ear impression techniques, regulatory
compliance with Maryland Board requirements, ethical practice standards, and customer rehabilitation.
Emphasis is placed on real-world application, critical thinking, and professional judgment needed to serve
clients with hearing loss effectively. Success requires mastery of technical skills, legal obligations, and patient-
centered care principles.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which structure of the ear is primarily responsible for converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations?
A. Cochlea
B. Ossicles
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Auditory nerve
🟢 C. Tympanic membrane
🔴 RATIONALE: The tympanic membrane (eardrum) converts sound waves from the air into mechanical
vibrations that are transmitted to the ossicles. The cochlea converts mechanical vibrations to neural signals, the
ossicles transmit vibrations, and the auditory nerve carries neural signals to the brain.
Question 2
A client presents with a hearing loss where air conduction thresholds are 50 dB HL and bone conduction
thresholds are 20 dB HL at 1000 Hz. What type of hearing loss is this?
A. Sensorineural hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Normal hearing
🟢 B. Conductive hearing loss
,🔴 RATIONALE: Conductive hearing loss is characterized by an air-bone gap where air conduction thresholds
are worse than bone conduction thresholds by at least 10 dB. Here, there is a 30 dB air-bone gap (50 - 20 = 30),
indicating conductive loss. Sensorineural loss shows no air-bone gap, and mixed loss has both conductive and
sensorineural components.
Question 3
According to Maryland regulations, what is the minimum passing score required on the practical examination
for hearing aid dispensers?
A. 70 percent
B. 75 percent
C. 80 percent
D. 85 percent
🟢 C. 80 percent
🔴 RATIONALE: The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 10.41.08.05) specifies that an applicant shall
obtain a score of at least 80 percent on the practical examination to pass.
Question 4
Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice when taking an ear impression?
A. Inject impression material toward the periphery of the ear canal
B. Pull the pinna up and back for adults to straighten the canal
C. Insert the occluder deep into the ear canal past the second bend
D. Check for undercuts before removing the impression
, 🟢 C. Insert the occluder deep into the ear canal past the second bend
🔴 RATIONALE: The occluder (plug) should be inserted only 2-3 mm into the ear canal to prevent material
from passing into the middle ear. Inserting it past the second bend is dangerous and could cause material to
enter the middle ear. The other options are correct techniques for ear impression taking.
Question 5
A hearing aid client reports whistling when the device is in their ear. What is the most likely cause?
A. Battery is low
B. Feedback due to poor fit or vent too large
C. Wax blockage in the microphone
D. Program selection error
🟢 B. Feedback due to poor fit or vent too large
🔴 RATIONALE: Whistling (acoustic feedback) occurs when amplified sound leaks out of the ear and is re-
entered into the microphone, creating a feedback loop. This is typically caused by a poor seal, improper fit, or a
vent that is too large. Low battery causes weak sound, wax blockage reduces sound input, and program errors
affect sound characteristics but don't cause whistling.
Question 6
Which hearing aid style is most appropriate for a client with severe to profound hearing loss who wants
maximum power and features?
