AMP FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Put the following ear canal structures in order from the most lateral to the most medial. -
Answer -aperture, Cartilaginous canal, 2nd bend, bony canal
2. What are some advantages and disadvantages to having a helix lock on an earmold?
- Answer -Advantages: Additional retention
Disadvantages: it is going to make insertion more challenging (avoid for elderly)
Give at least two reasons vents are beneficial to have in an earmold - Answer -1. When
a patient has a perforation or has ME infection-> large vents or open molds (open fits)
help to allow ear canals to breath and heal and prevents further infections.
2. Provides acoustic seal and accounts for adjusting/ affecting low frequencies
1. Helps alleviate loss of resonance.
1. Closed mold= greater loss of resonance
2. Amount of venting can determine gain in low frequencies
2. Insertion loss
1. Changes resonant characteristics of ear canal
2. Can be 15-20 dB at 2500-3500 Hz
3. Lose pinna effect
When should you consider a modified bore (i.e. horn, stepped) for an earmold? -
Answer -Primarily when someone has a BTE HA.
Primarily when someone has a BTE HA When HF sounds need to be amplified.
Modification to the Bore:
*When you want more of a boost in higher frequencies, modify the bore to be wider and
shorter. Trim with nail file or cut
*When you want more boost in lower frequencies, modify the bore to be longer and
narrower.
Bore length= narrower longer bore length= lower freq response gain increase.
Bore diameter= wider bore= higher freq response gain increase
*Can make modifications to the sound bore, tubing and insertion, and that can help you
to achieve your programming tools. And bells too! Gives you a nice HF boost.
Briefly outline the steps to taking an earmold impression. (Hint: Look at the protocol on
the EM lab.) What are the potential consequences of skipping any one of these steps? -
Answer -· Counsel patient about what to expect, procedures, etc
· Follow universal precautions, hand washing
· Perform otoscopic examination
· Obtain waiver if doing IIC
· Insert otoblock: helps me measure the appropriate depth passed the second bend,
protect your tm.
· Mix the materials and put them in the impression syringe or gun. Take earmold
impression: (it will be really cold, and it will take about 5 to 7 minutes to harden. Usually
3 to 5 It can touch the vagus nerve it can initiate a cough reflex.
, · Remove impression
· Perform otoscopic examination AGAIN!
· Clean and put away tools and supplies
Complete order form and mail with impressions
Which EMI method is recommended to combat the effects of mandibular movement? -
Answer -Retention. · high viscosity open mouth EM impression tends to have better
retention and reduce feedback. Tighter seal.
When the mandible moves, the EMI will be tighter (more retention) with an open jaw fit.
When the mandible moves, the EMI will be tighter (more retention) with an open jaw fit.
Explain why low viscosity impression material is NOT recommended when a tight-fitting
ear mold is required. - Answer -low viscosity allows the material to be freer moving and
pliable. More feedback. When there isn't good retention.
Viscosity: -a material's consistency -Measure for consistency BEFORE polymerization -
The lower the viscosity, the more easily it flows -Water has lower viscosity than tooth
paste
Lower viscosity: -sometimes recommended as a default because they will lead to an
impression that most accurately mimics the shape of the ear canal. -some materials
require particular care, because of the concerns during the shipping process.
Higher viscosity:-sometimes better to use on patients having a large amount of hair in
their ears. The denser the material will press down the hairs, whereas lower viscosity
will flow through the hairs, making the impression more painful to remove. -a slightly
higher viscosity is also expected to lead a tighter fit, particularly, when taken with the
jaw open using a bite block. WHY THO???
List two acoustic modifications that can be used to: 1. Decrease the low frequency
response (alleviate occlusion)- shorter wider venting (allows low frequency energy to
escape)
2. Increase the high frequency response- - Answer -·
1.) Vent diameter larger
· Ear mold deeper
2.)· using a HA transmission line with a small tip of receiver to a larger TM
Decreasing tubing length Short
· Minimal insertion of the tub into later side of the mold shallow
· increase it in diameter wide (if its further inside, a decrease in high frequency
response)·
5. The ________ diameter affects the impedance of the tube. The ________ diameter
affects the amount of sound that leaks out through the walls of the tubes. - Answer -
internal, external
Explain how horns and constrictions can affect the gain/output at different frequencies. -
Answer -•Effects high frequency range
•Shorter horn = higher frequency range affected
-BTE horns can be much longer horns than ITEs
Put the following ear canal structures in order from the most lateral to the most medial. -
Answer -aperture, Cartilaginous canal, 2nd bend, bony canal
2. What are some advantages and disadvantages to having a helix lock on an earmold?
- Answer -Advantages: Additional retention
Disadvantages: it is going to make insertion more challenging (avoid for elderly)
Give at least two reasons vents are beneficial to have in an earmold - Answer -1. When
a patient has a perforation or has ME infection-> large vents or open molds (open fits)
help to allow ear canals to breath and heal and prevents further infections.
2. Provides acoustic seal and accounts for adjusting/ affecting low frequencies
1. Helps alleviate loss of resonance.
1. Closed mold= greater loss of resonance
2. Amount of venting can determine gain in low frequencies
2. Insertion loss
1. Changes resonant characteristics of ear canal
2. Can be 15-20 dB at 2500-3500 Hz
3. Lose pinna effect
When should you consider a modified bore (i.e. horn, stepped) for an earmold? -
Answer -Primarily when someone has a BTE HA.
Primarily when someone has a BTE HA When HF sounds need to be amplified.
Modification to the Bore:
*When you want more of a boost in higher frequencies, modify the bore to be wider and
shorter. Trim with nail file or cut
*When you want more boost in lower frequencies, modify the bore to be longer and
narrower.
Bore length= narrower longer bore length= lower freq response gain increase.
Bore diameter= wider bore= higher freq response gain increase
*Can make modifications to the sound bore, tubing and insertion, and that can help you
to achieve your programming tools. And bells too! Gives you a nice HF boost.
Briefly outline the steps to taking an earmold impression. (Hint: Look at the protocol on
the EM lab.) What are the potential consequences of skipping any one of these steps? -
Answer -· Counsel patient about what to expect, procedures, etc
· Follow universal precautions, hand washing
· Perform otoscopic examination
· Obtain waiver if doing IIC
· Insert otoblock: helps me measure the appropriate depth passed the second bend,
protect your tm.
· Mix the materials and put them in the impression syringe or gun. Take earmold
impression: (it will be really cold, and it will take about 5 to 7 minutes to harden. Usually
3 to 5 It can touch the vagus nerve it can initiate a cough reflex.
, · Remove impression
· Perform otoscopic examination AGAIN!
· Clean and put away tools and supplies
Complete order form and mail with impressions
Which EMI method is recommended to combat the effects of mandibular movement? -
Answer -Retention. · high viscosity open mouth EM impression tends to have better
retention and reduce feedback. Tighter seal.
When the mandible moves, the EMI will be tighter (more retention) with an open jaw fit.
When the mandible moves, the EMI will be tighter (more retention) with an open jaw fit.
Explain why low viscosity impression material is NOT recommended when a tight-fitting
ear mold is required. - Answer -low viscosity allows the material to be freer moving and
pliable. More feedback. When there isn't good retention.
Viscosity: -a material's consistency -Measure for consistency BEFORE polymerization -
The lower the viscosity, the more easily it flows -Water has lower viscosity than tooth
paste
Lower viscosity: -sometimes recommended as a default because they will lead to an
impression that most accurately mimics the shape of the ear canal. -some materials
require particular care, because of the concerns during the shipping process.
Higher viscosity:-sometimes better to use on patients having a large amount of hair in
their ears. The denser the material will press down the hairs, whereas lower viscosity
will flow through the hairs, making the impression more painful to remove. -a slightly
higher viscosity is also expected to lead a tighter fit, particularly, when taken with the
jaw open using a bite block. WHY THO???
List two acoustic modifications that can be used to: 1. Decrease the low frequency
response (alleviate occlusion)- shorter wider venting (allows low frequency energy to
escape)
2. Increase the high frequency response- - Answer -·
1.) Vent diameter larger
· Ear mold deeper
2.)· using a HA transmission line with a small tip of receiver to a larger TM
Decreasing tubing length Short
· Minimal insertion of the tub into later side of the mold shallow
· increase it in diameter wide (if its further inside, a decrease in high frequency
response)·
5. The ________ diameter affects the impedance of the tube. The ________ diameter
affects the amount of sound that leaks out through the walls of the tubes. - Answer -
internal, external
Explain how horns and constrictions can affect the gain/output at different frequencies. -
Answer -•Effects high frequency range
•Shorter horn = higher frequency range affected
-BTE horns can be much longer horns than ITEs
