International Hearing Society Exam Questions and Answers Fully Solved
What problem is introduced when a hearing instrument is inserted into the concha and/or EAM in
regards to resonance? How is it fixed> - Answers Eliminates naturally occuring resonances of same-
frequency signals, which must be fixed through the instrument for more natural-sounding amplification
Frequency range to which the outer is is more sensitive - Answers 2700 Hz to 5000 Hz
Professionalism - Answers The practice of an occupation with the highest standards of performance,
accountability, and work ethic
The "R" in HEAR - Answers Recommendations
The "H" in HEAR - Answers History
Auris Dextra (AD) - Answers right ear
Posterior - Answers toward the back
Anterior - Answers toward the front
Inferior - Answers below
Tympanic membrane's common name - Answers The eardrum
Tympanic membrane attachment - Answers Attached to temporal bone of skull by annular ligament at
annular sulcus of tympanic portion
Tympanic membrane function - Answers vibrates in response to sound waves; transduces sound wave
into mechanical energy for middle ear
Why must a hearing instrument specialist be aware of the vascular network underlying the skin of the
EAM, and who commonly has problems with it? - Answers A small amount of blood may be seen
following a deep ear impression especially with individuals taking blood thinners, who have bleeding
disorders, or with diabetes
Natural ear canal resonance - Answers Contributes to the perception of sound quality
Lateral - Answers away from the midline
Auris Sinistra - Answers left ear
Proximal - Answers Located close to a reference point; "near"
Medial - Answers toward the midline
Ear Canal - Answers the canal that conducts sound vibrations from the pinna to the tympanic membrane
and prevents damage to the tympanic membrane; s-shaped tube that ends at the TM
,Distal - Answers away from the reference point; "distant"
Superior - Answers Higher on the body, nearer to the head
Aures Unitas - Answers both ears
Pinna - Answers the visible part of the ear; skin-covered flexible cartilaginous structure; orientation and
shape allow it to collect and localize sound
Three primary functions of the outer ear - Answers 1. Protects structures of the middle and inner ears
from foreign bodies
2. Localizes sounds (aids)
3. Boosts higher frequency sounds
Two functions of the human ear - Answers hearing and balance
Hearing Loss - Answers The result of a dysfunction or disorder of the auditory system somewhere along
the pathway from the external ear to the auditory centers of the brain
Location of the peripheral auditory system - Answers Within the temporal bone of the skull
5 segments of the temporal bone - Answers 1. Squamous: largest segment; forms both sides of skull
2. Mastoid: bony prominence posterior to pinna
3. Tympanic: forms bony part of the external auditory meatus and provides point of attachment for
tympanic membrane
4. Petrous: houses inner ear; shaped like a long pyramid wedged between front and back of cranium;
Latin: "Stone-like"; one of the densest bones in body
5. Styloid process: slender projection of bone located inferior to ear; POA for several tongue/larynx
muscles
external auditory meatus - Answers Directs sound to tympanic membrane; About 2.5cm (1 in) long and
about 5-7mm (1/4 in) wide; oval-shaped; two bends; lateral 1/3 is skin-covered cartilage with hair
follicles, sebaceous glands and ceruminous glands; medial 2/3 is skin-covered bone
Isthmus - Answers Narrowing of external auditory meatus, where cartilaginous and osseous sections
meet; lies just beyond second bend
Where can cerumen accumulate to cause hearing/hearing instrument use problems and how does the
accumulation become problematic? - Answers Isthmus; becomes lodged or impacted by constant
tamping action of hearing instrument/earmold insertion or by cotton swabs
Overgrowth of hair in the external auditory meatus - Answers -Impedes proper hygiene
, -Prevents proper impression making
-Causes problems with hearing instrument insertion and retention
The pinna more effectively localizes - Answers Front-to-back higher frequency sounds
The orientation of the pinna allows it to collect sound more efficiently from the listener's front or back? -
Answers Front
Resonant frequency of concha - Answers About 5000 Hz
Resonant frequency of external auditory meatus - Answers About 2700 Hz
Four quadrants of tympanic membrane - Answers Anterior Superior, anterior inferior, posterior
superior, posterior inferior
How does the structure of the ear canal change with age? - Answers -Epithelial layer thins
-Subcutaneous layer deteriorates
-Sebaceous glands produce less oil
How does the change of EAM structure with age affect patients? - Answers Causes dry and itchy ear
canal, and harder cerumen than in younger people
Pars flaccida - Answers superior, smaller, triangular-shaped, compliant portion of the tympanic
membrane
Pars flaccida (label) - Answers 1
"Nothing in these regulations shall permit a licensed hearing aid dealer or fitter to make facial
measurements for eyeglasses or fit, adjust, duplicate or adapt lenses or spectacle frames except___" -
Answers To adapt or adjust the temple/temples incorporating hearing aid components in eyeglass-type
hearing aids
Required components of a hearing aid sale receipt - Answers 1. Must be delivered to each person
supplied with a hearing aid
2. Must contain licensee's signature and business address (PO box not sufficient)
3. State license number
4. Specifications of hearing aid make and model
5. Full terms of sale clearly stated
6. If previously used, must say "used" or "reconditioned," and terms of guarantee
What problem is introduced when a hearing instrument is inserted into the concha and/or EAM in
regards to resonance? How is it fixed> - Answers Eliminates naturally occuring resonances of same-
frequency signals, which must be fixed through the instrument for more natural-sounding amplification
Frequency range to which the outer is is more sensitive - Answers 2700 Hz to 5000 Hz
Professionalism - Answers The practice of an occupation with the highest standards of performance,
accountability, and work ethic
The "R" in HEAR - Answers Recommendations
The "H" in HEAR - Answers History
Auris Dextra (AD) - Answers right ear
Posterior - Answers toward the back
Anterior - Answers toward the front
Inferior - Answers below
Tympanic membrane's common name - Answers The eardrum
Tympanic membrane attachment - Answers Attached to temporal bone of skull by annular ligament at
annular sulcus of tympanic portion
Tympanic membrane function - Answers vibrates in response to sound waves; transduces sound wave
into mechanical energy for middle ear
Why must a hearing instrument specialist be aware of the vascular network underlying the skin of the
EAM, and who commonly has problems with it? - Answers A small amount of blood may be seen
following a deep ear impression especially with individuals taking blood thinners, who have bleeding
disorders, or with diabetes
Natural ear canal resonance - Answers Contributes to the perception of sound quality
Lateral - Answers away from the midline
Auris Sinistra - Answers left ear
Proximal - Answers Located close to a reference point; "near"
Medial - Answers toward the midline
Ear Canal - Answers the canal that conducts sound vibrations from the pinna to the tympanic membrane
and prevents damage to the tympanic membrane; s-shaped tube that ends at the TM
,Distal - Answers away from the reference point; "distant"
Superior - Answers Higher on the body, nearer to the head
Aures Unitas - Answers both ears
Pinna - Answers the visible part of the ear; skin-covered flexible cartilaginous structure; orientation and
shape allow it to collect and localize sound
Three primary functions of the outer ear - Answers 1. Protects structures of the middle and inner ears
from foreign bodies
2. Localizes sounds (aids)
3. Boosts higher frequency sounds
Two functions of the human ear - Answers hearing and balance
Hearing Loss - Answers The result of a dysfunction or disorder of the auditory system somewhere along
the pathway from the external ear to the auditory centers of the brain
Location of the peripheral auditory system - Answers Within the temporal bone of the skull
5 segments of the temporal bone - Answers 1. Squamous: largest segment; forms both sides of skull
2. Mastoid: bony prominence posterior to pinna
3. Tympanic: forms bony part of the external auditory meatus and provides point of attachment for
tympanic membrane
4. Petrous: houses inner ear; shaped like a long pyramid wedged between front and back of cranium;
Latin: "Stone-like"; one of the densest bones in body
5. Styloid process: slender projection of bone located inferior to ear; POA for several tongue/larynx
muscles
external auditory meatus - Answers Directs sound to tympanic membrane; About 2.5cm (1 in) long and
about 5-7mm (1/4 in) wide; oval-shaped; two bends; lateral 1/3 is skin-covered cartilage with hair
follicles, sebaceous glands and ceruminous glands; medial 2/3 is skin-covered bone
Isthmus - Answers Narrowing of external auditory meatus, where cartilaginous and osseous sections
meet; lies just beyond second bend
Where can cerumen accumulate to cause hearing/hearing instrument use problems and how does the
accumulation become problematic? - Answers Isthmus; becomes lodged or impacted by constant
tamping action of hearing instrument/earmold insertion or by cotton swabs
Overgrowth of hair in the external auditory meatus - Answers -Impedes proper hygiene
, -Prevents proper impression making
-Causes problems with hearing instrument insertion and retention
The pinna more effectively localizes - Answers Front-to-back higher frequency sounds
The orientation of the pinna allows it to collect sound more efficiently from the listener's front or back? -
Answers Front
Resonant frequency of concha - Answers About 5000 Hz
Resonant frequency of external auditory meatus - Answers About 2700 Hz
Four quadrants of tympanic membrane - Answers Anterior Superior, anterior inferior, posterior
superior, posterior inferior
How does the structure of the ear canal change with age? - Answers -Epithelial layer thins
-Subcutaneous layer deteriorates
-Sebaceous glands produce less oil
How does the change of EAM structure with age affect patients? - Answers Causes dry and itchy ear
canal, and harder cerumen than in younger people
Pars flaccida - Answers superior, smaller, triangular-shaped, compliant portion of the tympanic
membrane
Pars flaccida (label) - Answers 1
"Nothing in these regulations shall permit a licensed hearing aid dealer or fitter to make facial
measurements for eyeglasses or fit, adjust, duplicate or adapt lenses or spectacle frames except___" -
Answers To adapt or adjust the temple/temples incorporating hearing aid components in eyeglass-type
hearing aids
Required components of a hearing aid sale receipt - Answers 1. Must be delivered to each person
supplied with a hearing aid
2. Must contain licensee's signature and business address (PO box not sufficient)
3. State license number
4. Specifications of hearing aid make and model
5. Full terms of sale clearly stated
6. If previously used, must say "used" or "reconditioned," and terms of guarantee
