Audiometry: The Science of Hearing Tests

Question 1

What type of audiometry test is specifically designed to evaluate a person's ability to distinguish between various speech sounds?

Accepted Answer

Speech audiometry

Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Answer

Tympanometry

Answer

Otoacoustic emissions

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of conducting a speech reception threshold (SRT) test?

Accepted Answer

To determine the faintest speech signal that can be understood

Answer

To measure the level of speech volume that becomes uncomfortable

Answer

To evaluate the ability to hear in noisy environments

Answer

To detect the presence of tinnitus

Question 3

Which type of hearing loss specifically affects the ability to perceive high-frequency sounds?

Accepted Answer

Sensorineural hearing loss

Answer

Conductive hearing loss

Answer

Mixed hearing loss

Answer

Presbycusis

Question 4

What is the primary function of a tympanogram?

Accepted Answer

To assess the mobility and function of the eardrum

Answer

To measure the pressure within the middle ear

Answer

To detect fluid presence in the middle ear

Answer

To evaluate hearing thresholds

Question 5

What is the purpose of a word recognition score (WRS) test?

Accepted Answer

To determine the percentage of words that an individual can correctly repeat

Answer

To measure the loudness level at which words become intelligible

Answer

To evaluate the clarity of speech

Answer

To detect the use of a hearing aid

Question 6

Which audiometry test is used to determine the softest sound that a person can hear at various frequencies?

Accepted Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Answer

Speech audiometry

Answer

Otoacoustic emissions

Answer

Tympanometry

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of a speech audiometry test?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate speech comprehension in noisy situations

Answer

To assess an individual's ability to detect the softest audible sound

Answer

To determine the type of hearing loss

Answer

To detect underlying ear conditions

Question 8

Which device is NOT a type of hearing aid?

Accepted Answer

Cochlear implant

Answer

Behind-the-ear (BTE)

Answer

In-the-canal (ITC)

Answer

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)

Question 9

Which nerve is responsible for transmitting auditory information from the cochlea to the brain?

Accepted Answer

Auditory nerve

Answer

Vestibular nerve

Answer

Facial nerve

Answer

Trigeminal nerve

Question 10

What test measures the amount of sound reflected back from the eardrum?

Accepted Answer

Tympanometry

Answer

Otoacoustic emissions

Answer

Auditory brainstem response

Answer

Electrocochleography

Question 11

Which type of audiometry uses pure tones to measure a person's hearing sensitivity across frequencies?

Accepted Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Answer

Speech audiometry

Answer

Tympanometry

Answer

Otoacoustic emissions

Question 12

What is the main purpose of a Speech Reception Threshold (SRT)?

Accepted Answer

To determine the softest speech level at which 50% of words can be understood

Answer

To identify the frequency range of a person's hearing loss

Answer

To measure the loudness of a person's voice

Question 13

Which of the following is a typical cause of conductive hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Earwax impaction

Answer

Presbycusis

Answer

Acoustic trauma

Answer

Meniere's disease

Question 14

Which bone located behind the ear transmits sound vibrations to the inner ear?

Accepted Answer

Temporal bone

Answer

Parietal bone

Answer

Occipital bone

Answer

Mastoid bone

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of sensorineural hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Noise-induced hearing loss

Answer

Tympanic membrane perforation

Answer

Eustachian tube dysfunction

Answer

Otitis media

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of an audiogram?

Accepted Answer

To graphically represent a person's hearing thresholds at various frequencies

Answer

To diagnose the cause of hearing loss

Answer

To determine the type of hearing aid needed

Question 17

Conductive hearing loss is typically associated with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hearing loss that is more pronounced for low-frequency sounds

Answer

Tinnitus

Answer

Speech discrimination difficulties

Question 18

Which factor is considered a primary risk factor for developing noise-induced hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to loud noise over an extended period

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Age

Answer

Genetics

Question 19

In audiometry, what does the abbreviation 'dB HL' represent?

Accepted Answer

Decibels hearing level

Answer

Decibels hearing loss

Answer

Decibels high loss

Answer

Decibels human level

Question 20

Which speech audiometry test is used to assess the ability to understand speech in noisy environments?

Accepted Answer

Speech-in-noise test

Answer

Tympanometry

Answer

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)

Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of utilizing a masking curve in pure-tone audiometry?

Accepted Answer

To determine the threshold of hearing amidst background noise

Answer

To assess loudness discomfort levels

Answer

To measure bone conduction

Question 22

For pure-tone audiometry, what is the recommended frequency range?

Accepted Answer

250 Hz to 8000 Hz

Answer

125 Hz to 6000 Hz

Answer

1000 Hz to 10000 Hz

Answer

500 Hz to 4000 Hz

Question 23

Which of the following is an advantage of using bone conduction in audiometry?

Accepted Answer

Bypassing the outer and middle ear

Answer

Improving the accuracy of air conduction thresholds

Answer

Eliminating the need for earplugs

Answer

Reducing the effects of masking

Question 24

What is the primary function of tympanometry?

Accepted Answer

Evaluating middle ear function and mobility

Answer

Diagnosing tinnitus

Answer

Determining the hearing threshold

Answer

Measuring loudness discomfort levels

Question 25

Which of these tests is NOT typically included in a basic audiometry evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test

Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Answer

Speech audiometry

Question 26

When performing pure-tone audiometry, which frequency is usually tested first?

Accepted Answer

1000 Hz

Answer

250 Hz

Answer

500 Hz

Answer

4000 Hz

Question 27

Which of the following is a specific type of speech audiometry test?

Accepted Answer

Phonetically Balanced (PB) word lists

Answer

Tympanometry

Answer

Auditory brainstem response (ABR)

Answer

Measuring pure-tone thresholds

Question 28

What is the main difference between air conduction and bone conduction testing?

Accepted Answer

Air conduction tests sound traveling through the outer and middle ear, while bone conduction tests sound traveling through the inner ear.

Answer

Air conduction tests sound traveling through the inner ear, while bone conduction tests sound traveling through the outer and middle ear.

Answer

Air conduction testing uses headphones, while bone conduction testing uses a vibrating device.

Question 29

Which of the following is a common cause of conductive hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Otitis media (ear infection)

Answer

Ménière's disease

Answer

Acoustic trauma (noise exposure)

Answer

Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss)

Question 30

What is the most common type of sensorineural hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis)

Answer

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Answer

Autoimmune inner ear disease

Answer

Noise-induced hearing loss

Question 31

What defines a mixed hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

It involves both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss components.

Answer

It means having normal hearing in one ear and severe hearing loss in the other.

Answer

It describes a temporary hearing loss that fluctuates.

Answer

It refers to hearing loss only in specific frequencies.

Question 32

What is the main purpose of using masking during audiometry?

Accepted Answer

To prevent sound from being heard by the ear that's not being tested.

Answer

To accurately measure the loudness of sounds.

Answer

To check the function of the middle ear.

Answer

To make the sound louder in the ear being tested.

Question 33

Which of these factors could potentially affect the results of an audiometry test?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Whether the equipment is properly calibrated

Answer

Background noise in the testing environment

Answer

Whether the patient is willing to cooperate during the test

Question 34

Which of the following is the recommended air conduction bone conduction ratio for frequencies below 1000 Hz?

Accepted Answer

0.1

Answer

0.5

Answer

1.0

Answer

0.25

Question 35

What is the pure-tone threshold for hearing?

Accepted Answer

20 dB HL

Answer

10 dB HL

Answer

40 dB HL

Answer

30 dB HL

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a type of speech audiometry test?

Accepted Answer

Pure-tone audiometry

Answer

SSN

Answer

PB word lists

Question 37

What is the purpose of a speech reception threshold test?

Accepted Answer

To measure the softest speech level that can be understood 50% of the time

Answer

To assess the ability to discriminate between speech sounds

Answer

To measure the loudness discomfort level

Question 38

Which of the following is a limitation of speech audiometry?

Accepted Answer

It cannot be used to assess hearing in children

Answer

It is not sensitive to small changes in hearing

Answer

It is not reliable in noisy environments

Answer

It is not a valid measure of speech perception

Question 39

What is the difference between a tuning fork and a pure-tone audiometer?

Accepted Answer

A tuning fork produces a single frequency, while a pure-tone audiometer produces a range of frequencies at different intensities.

Answer

A tuning fork is more accurate than a pure-tone audiometer.

Question 40

What is the masking effect?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon where a sound makes it more difficult to hear another sound

Answer

The phenomenon where a sound makes it easier to hear another sound

Answer

The phenomenon where a sound changes the pitch of another sound

Question 41

What is the purpose of a bone conduction test?

Accepted Answer

To assess the function of the cochlea

Answer

To assess the function of the middle ear

Answer

To assess the function of the eardrum

Answer

To assess the function of the auditory nerve

Question 42

What is a tympanogram?

Accepted Answer

A test that measures the movement of the eardrum

Answer

A test that measures the loudness discomfort level

Answer

A test that measures the speech reception threshold

Answer

A test that measures the hearing threshold

Question 43

What is the purpose of an otoacoustic emissions test?

Accepted Answer

To screen for hearing loss in newborns

Answer

To assess the function of the cochlea

Answer

To assess the function of the auditory nerve

Answer

To assess the function of the eardrum

Question 44

A patient presents with a hearing loss in the higher frequencies. Which of the following audiometric findings would be most consistent with this presentation?

Accepted Answer

A high-frequency hearing loss on the audiogram.

Answer

Normal hearing on the audiogram.

Answer

A low-frequency hearing loss on the audiogram.

Question 45

What is the primary purpose of pure-tone audiometry?

Accepted Answer

To determine the threshold of hearing at different frequencies.

Answer

To identify the presence of middle ear pathology.

Answer

To evaluate speech understanding abilities.

Question 46

During speech audiometry, what is the SRT (Speech Reception Threshold) used to measure?

Accepted Answer

The softest level at which a patient can correctly repeat 50% of the presented words.

Answer

The number of words a patient can correctly identify at a specific intensity level.

Answer

The loudest level a patient can tolerate without discomfort.

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT a common type of hearing loss identified through audiometry?

Accepted Answer

Conductive hearing loss in the inner ear.

Answer

Conductive hearing loss in the middle ear.

Answer

Sensorineural hearing loss.

Answer

Mixed hearing loss.

Question 48

A patient reports difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. This is most suggestive of which type of hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Sensorineural hearing loss.

Answer

Auditory processing disorder.

Answer

Mixed hearing loss.

Answer

Conductive hearing loss.

Question 49

What is the significance of the 'bone conduction' test in audiometry?

Accepted Answer

To assess the function of the middle ear and inner ear separately.

Answer

To determine the exact location of a hearing loss.

Answer

To measure the intensity of sound reaching the inner ear.

Question 50

Which of the following is a common audiometric finding in patients with otitis media?

Accepted Answer

A conductive hearing loss.

Answer

Normal hearing.

Answer

A sensorineural hearing loss.

Answer

A mixed hearing loss.

Question 51

What is the difference between air conduction and bone conduction testing in audiometry?

Accepted Answer

Air conduction tests sound transmission through the outer and middle ear, while bone conduction tests sound transmission directly to the inner ear.

Answer

Air conduction tests the function of the inner ear, while bone conduction tests the function of the outer ear.

Question 52

Why is it important to use a sound-treated booth during audiometry testing?

Accepted Answer

To minimize external noise and ensure accurate measurement of hearing thresholds.

Answer

To prevent the spread of infection.

Answer

To provide a comfortable environment for the patient.

Question 53

What is the role of the audiologist in audiometry?

Accepted Answer

To administer audiometric tests, interpret results, and provide recommendations for treatment or management of hearing loss.

Answer

To perform surgery on the ear.