PLTW Medical Interventions Unit 1.3 & 1.4 Exam Questions Answered Correctly Latest Update
2026
Audiogram - Answers A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the
minimum sound intensity for hearing
Cochlear Implant - Answers An electrical prosthetic device that enables individuals with
sensorineural hearing loss to recognize some sounds
Hearing Aid - Answers An electronic device usually worn by a person for amplifying sound
before it reaches the receptor organs
Inner Ear - Answers The essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that
includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea
Middle Ear - Answers The intermediate portion of the ear containing a chain of three ossicles
that extends from the tympanic membrane to the oval window and transmits vibrations to the
inner ear
Outer Ear - Answers The outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves
toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal
bone
Sound - Answers Mechanical energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a
medium (water/air)
Pinna - Answers The only visible part of the ear, shaped like a funnel which assists in directing
the sound towards the middle ear
Malleus, Stapes, and Incus (Ossicles) - Answers The hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and
the stirrup (stapes). These bones vibrate as a result of the tympanic membrane and amplify the
vibrations to be sent into the cochlea through the oval window
Oval Window - Answers A membrane covering the entrance to the cochlea. When ossicles
vibrate, they transfer the amplified sound waves which will ripple the fluid of the cochlea (20x
pressure compared to tympanic membrane)
Semicircular Canals - Answers Three fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that help maintain
balance and equilibrium
Auditory Nerve - Answers A bundle of nerve fibers that carry information between cochlea and
the brain. Cochlea hairs connect to the auditory nerve, transmitting electrical impulses that are
later interpreted by the brain as sound
Cochlea - Answers A small, snail shell like structure that contains fluid (perilymph) and two
closely positioned membranes. These act as walls which ensure vibrations from the oval
, window are transmitted to all of the fluid. The auditory hairs that line the walls convert the
ripples of the fluid from the oval window into electrical impulses sent to the brain.
Round Window - Answers A slight budge in the window of the cochlea when fluid ripples
Eustachian Tube - Answers A canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, controlling
the pressure of the middle ear (equal to outside environment)
Tympanic Cavity - Answers A small cavity that surrounds the ossicles, allowing them to transmit
vibrations through the oval window
Tympanic Membrane - Answers A thin layer of tissue that receives soundwaves from the outer
ear. As the waves hit the eardrum, they vibrate the ossicles which further translate the
vibrations to the inner ear.
External Auditory Canal - Answers A long canal that transmits soundwaves directed from the
pinna to the tympanic membrane
Vestibule - Answers The central part of the labyrinth in the inner ear
Vestibular Nerve - Answers The nerve that conducts impulses related to maintaining balance to
the brain from the hairs of the semicircular canals
Ear Diagram - Answers
Pitch vs Intensity - Answers Pitch: Frequency (short or long) in hz
Intensity: Amplitude (high or low) in dB
Right Ear Audiograms - Answers Red
Air Conduction: O
Bone Conduction: <
Left Ear Audiograms - Answers Blue
Air Conduction: X
Bone Conduction: >
Conductive Hearing Loss Audiograms - Answers Bone conduction is normal, air conduction is at
least 10dB below
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Audiograms - Answers Bone and air conduction levels are the same
Mixed Audiograms - Answers Bone and air conduction are below the normal range and at least
10dB apart
2026
Audiogram - Answers A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the
minimum sound intensity for hearing
Cochlear Implant - Answers An electrical prosthetic device that enables individuals with
sensorineural hearing loss to recognize some sounds
Hearing Aid - Answers An electronic device usually worn by a person for amplifying sound
before it reaches the receptor organs
Inner Ear - Answers The essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that
includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea
Middle Ear - Answers The intermediate portion of the ear containing a chain of three ossicles
that extends from the tympanic membrane to the oval window and transmits vibrations to the
inner ear
Outer Ear - Answers The outer visible portion of the ear that collects and directs sound waves
toward the tympanic membrane by way of a canal which extends inward through the temporal
bone
Sound - Answers Mechanical energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a
medium (water/air)
Pinna - Answers The only visible part of the ear, shaped like a funnel which assists in directing
the sound towards the middle ear
Malleus, Stapes, and Incus (Ossicles) - Answers The hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and
the stirrup (stapes). These bones vibrate as a result of the tympanic membrane and amplify the
vibrations to be sent into the cochlea through the oval window
Oval Window - Answers A membrane covering the entrance to the cochlea. When ossicles
vibrate, they transfer the amplified sound waves which will ripple the fluid of the cochlea (20x
pressure compared to tympanic membrane)
Semicircular Canals - Answers Three fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that help maintain
balance and equilibrium
Auditory Nerve - Answers A bundle of nerve fibers that carry information between cochlea and
the brain. Cochlea hairs connect to the auditory nerve, transmitting electrical impulses that are
later interpreted by the brain as sound
Cochlea - Answers A small, snail shell like structure that contains fluid (perilymph) and two
closely positioned membranes. These act as walls which ensure vibrations from the oval
, window are transmitted to all of the fluid. The auditory hairs that line the walls convert the
ripples of the fluid from the oval window into electrical impulses sent to the brain.
Round Window - Answers A slight budge in the window of the cochlea when fluid ripples
Eustachian Tube - Answers A canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, controlling
the pressure of the middle ear (equal to outside environment)
Tympanic Cavity - Answers A small cavity that surrounds the ossicles, allowing them to transmit
vibrations through the oval window
Tympanic Membrane - Answers A thin layer of tissue that receives soundwaves from the outer
ear. As the waves hit the eardrum, they vibrate the ossicles which further translate the
vibrations to the inner ear.
External Auditory Canal - Answers A long canal that transmits soundwaves directed from the
pinna to the tympanic membrane
Vestibule - Answers The central part of the labyrinth in the inner ear
Vestibular Nerve - Answers The nerve that conducts impulses related to maintaining balance to
the brain from the hairs of the semicircular canals
Ear Diagram - Answers
Pitch vs Intensity - Answers Pitch: Frequency (short or long) in hz
Intensity: Amplitude (high or low) in dB
Right Ear Audiograms - Answers Red
Air Conduction: O
Bone Conduction: <
Left Ear Audiograms - Answers Blue
Air Conduction: X
Bone Conduction: >
Conductive Hearing Loss Audiograms - Answers Bone conduction is normal, air conduction is at
least 10dB below
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Audiograms - Answers Bone and air conduction levels are the same
Mixed Audiograms - Answers Bone and air conduction are below the normal range and at least
10dB apart
