California Hearing Aid Dispenser
Licensing Exam with Practice Questions
And Correct Answe
1. A patient presents with a bilateral mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss and
reports significant difficulty understanding speech in background noise. Which
hearing aid feature is most critical to address this complaint?
A. Wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
B. Digital noise reduction (DNR)
C. Directional microphone technology
D. Frequency lowering
Answer: C. Directional microphone technology
Rationale: Directional microphones improve the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating
sounds from behind, directly addressing speech-in-noise difficulty. WDRC manages
loudness recruitment, DNR reduces steady-state noise but does not improve SNR for
speech, and frequency lowering addresses high-frequency audibility, not noise.
2. Under California law, which of the following is required before a hearing aid
dispenser may conduct a hearing test on a client?
A. A written order from a physician
B. A signed waiver from the client
C. A valid hearing aid dispenser license
D. Completion of a state-approved training program
Answer: C. A valid hearing aid dispenser license
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.1 prohibits unlicensed
persons from conducting hearing tests for the purpose of fitting hearing aids. While
training is required for licensure, the license itself is the legal prerequisite. A physician
order is not required for testing, and a waiver does not substitute for licensure.
Page 1 of 79
,3. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the real-ear-to-coupler
difference (RECD) in hearing aid fitting?
A. To measure the occlusion effect of the earmold
B. To predict real-ear SPL from coupler SPL for a specific ear
C. To determine the appropriate vent size
D. To assess the integrity of the hearing aid receiver
Answer: B. To predict real-ear SPL from coupler SPL for a specific ear
Rationale: RECD is the difference between the SPL measured in a coupler and the SPL
measured in the real ear canal, allowing accurate prediction of real-ear performance from
coupler measurements. It does not measure occlusion effect, guide vent size, or test receiver
function.
4. A hearing aid dispenser advertises a 'free hearing test' but then charges patients for
the test if they do not purchase a hearing aid. Which California regulation does this
violate?
A. Business and Professions Code 2538.24
B. Business and Professions Code 2538.25
C. Business and Professions Code 2538.26
D. Business and Professions Code 2538.27
Answer: B. Business and Professions Code 2538.25
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.25 prohibits advertising
a free hearing test if any charge is made for the test when a hearing aid is not purchased.
Sections 2538.24, 2538.26, and 2538.27 address other aspects such as record keeping and
sales receipts.
Page 2 of 79
,5. When fitting a patient with a severe-to-profound hearing loss, which hearing aid
style is typically contraindicated due to insufficient gain and feedback issues?
A. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
B. Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
C. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
D. In-the-ear (ITE)
Answer: C. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
Rationale: CIC hearing aids are limited in maximum gain and are prone to acoustic
feedback, making them unsuitable for severe-to-profound losses. BTE, RIC, and ITE styles
can provide sufficient gain and are less prone to feedback with appropriate coupling.
6. Which of the following outcomes is most appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of
a hearing aid fitting in daily life?
A. Real-ear insertion gain (REIG)
B. Speech recognition threshold (SRT)
C. Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB)
D. Coupled response curve
Answer: C. Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB)
Rationale: The APHAB is a self-report outcome measure that assesses hearing aid benefit
in everyday listening situations. REIG and coupled response curves are electroacoustic
verification measures, and SRT is a diagnostic measure of sensitivity, not a measure of
daily-life benefit.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. A patient reports that their hearing aids whistle when they chew or move their jaw.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Receiver malfunction
B. Acoustic feedback due to loose earmold
C. Low battery voltage
D. Incorrect gain settings
Answer: B. Acoustic feedback due to loose earmold
Rationale: Jaw movement can cause the earmold to shift, creating a leak that allows
amplified sound to escape and be re-amplified, resulting in feedback. Receiver malfunction,
low battery, and gain settings can cause feedback but are less directly linked to jaw
movement.
8. According to California law, within how many days must a hearing aid dispenser
provide a refund if a client returns a hearing aid within the allowed trial period?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.28 requires a refund
within 30 days of return if the hearing aid is returned within the trial period. The trial
period itself is 45 days, but the refund must be made within 30 days of return.
Page 4 of 79
Licensing Exam with Practice Questions
And Correct Answe
1. A patient presents with a bilateral mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss and
reports significant difficulty understanding speech in background noise. Which
hearing aid feature is most critical to address this complaint?
A. Wide dynamic range compression (WDRC)
B. Digital noise reduction (DNR)
C. Directional microphone technology
D. Frequency lowering
Answer: C. Directional microphone technology
Rationale: Directional microphones improve the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating
sounds from behind, directly addressing speech-in-noise difficulty. WDRC manages
loudness recruitment, DNR reduces steady-state noise but does not improve SNR for
speech, and frequency lowering addresses high-frequency audibility, not noise.
2. Under California law, which of the following is required before a hearing aid
dispenser may conduct a hearing test on a client?
A. A written order from a physician
B. A signed waiver from the client
C. A valid hearing aid dispenser license
D. Completion of a state-approved training program
Answer: C. A valid hearing aid dispenser license
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.1 prohibits unlicensed
persons from conducting hearing tests for the purpose of fitting hearing aids. While
training is required for licensure, the license itself is the legal prerequisite. A physician
order is not required for testing, and a waiver does not substitute for licensure.
Page 1 of 79
,3. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the real-ear-to-coupler
difference (RECD) in hearing aid fitting?
A. To measure the occlusion effect of the earmold
B. To predict real-ear SPL from coupler SPL for a specific ear
C. To determine the appropriate vent size
D. To assess the integrity of the hearing aid receiver
Answer: B. To predict real-ear SPL from coupler SPL for a specific ear
Rationale: RECD is the difference between the SPL measured in a coupler and the SPL
measured in the real ear canal, allowing accurate prediction of real-ear performance from
coupler measurements. It does not measure occlusion effect, guide vent size, or test receiver
function.
4. A hearing aid dispenser advertises a 'free hearing test' but then charges patients for
the test if they do not purchase a hearing aid. Which California regulation does this
violate?
A. Business and Professions Code 2538.24
B. Business and Professions Code 2538.25
C. Business and Professions Code 2538.26
D. Business and Professions Code 2538.27
Answer: B. Business and Professions Code 2538.25
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.25 prohibits advertising
a free hearing test if any charge is made for the test when a hearing aid is not purchased.
Sections 2538.24, 2538.26, and 2538.27 address other aspects such as record keeping and
sales receipts.
Page 2 of 79
,5. When fitting a patient with a severe-to-profound hearing loss, which hearing aid
style is typically contraindicated due to insufficient gain and feedback issues?
A. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
B. Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
C. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
D. In-the-ear (ITE)
Answer: C. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
Rationale: CIC hearing aids are limited in maximum gain and are prone to acoustic
feedback, making them unsuitable for severe-to-profound losses. BTE, RIC, and ITE styles
can provide sufficient gain and are less prone to feedback with appropriate coupling.
6. Which of the following outcomes is most appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of
a hearing aid fitting in daily life?
A. Real-ear insertion gain (REIG)
B. Speech recognition threshold (SRT)
C. Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB)
D. Coupled response curve
Answer: C. Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB)
Rationale: The APHAB is a self-report outcome measure that assesses hearing aid benefit
in everyday listening situations. REIG and coupled response curves are electroacoustic
verification measures, and SRT is a diagnostic measure of sensitivity, not a measure of
daily-life benefit.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. A patient reports that their hearing aids whistle when they chew or move their jaw.
Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Receiver malfunction
B. Acoustic feedback due to loose earmold
C. Low battery voltage
D. Incorrect gain settings
Answer: B. Acoustic feedback due to loose earmold
Rationale: Jaw movement can cause the earmold to shift, creating a leak that allows
amplified sound to escape and be re-amplified, resulting in feedback. Receiver malfunction,
low battery, and gain settings can cause feedback but are less directly linked to jaw
movement.
8. According to California law, within how many days must a hearing aid dispenser
provide a refund if a client returns a hearing aid within the allowed trial period?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 45 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code section 2538.28 requires a refund
within 30 days of return if the hearing aid is returned within the trial period. The trial
period itself is 45 days, but the refund must be made within 30 days of return.
Page 4 of 79
