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Audiology Final

QuestionAnswer
What is the primary role of an audiologist? To diagnose, treat, maintain, and prevent hearing loss, communication disorders, and balance/vestibular system disorders.
What is the main difference between an Audiologist and a Hearing Instrument Specialist? An audiologist has a CSD background and understands breakdowns in communication; a hearing instrument specialist can test hearing and program aids but lacks the "behind the scenes" knowledge.
When did Audiology become a profession? 1945, after WWII, due to soldiers returning with hearing loss.
What is sound? A type of energy resulting from pressure waves generated by a force applied to a sound source, creating compression of molecules.
What are the two phases of a sound wave? Condensation (molecules compressed) and Rarefaction (molecules pushed apart).
What physical property of sound is related to the perception of pitch? Frequency.
What physical property of sound is related to the perception of loudness? Intensity.
What is the frequency range of human hearing? 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
What is the intensity range of human hearing (in dB)? -10 dB to 120 dB.
What is the threshold of pain for the human ear? 140 dB SPL.
What is the "Inverse Square Law" regarding sound distance? As you move across a room, every doubling of distance results in a 6 dB decrease in sound pressure.
What is Sensation Level (SL)? The difference between the threshold and the presentation level of the stimulus (e.g., presenting speech 30 dB above threshold).
What type of sounds are vowels considered? Low frequency energy (longer wavelengths).
What type of sounds are consonants considered? High frequency sounds (many peaks in a short time).
What are the four functions of the outer ear? Collect sound, resonate sound, assist in localization, and protect the middle ear .
What structure separates the outer ear from the middle ear? The tympanic membrane (eardrum).
How much does the ear canal naturally amplify sound? It increases sound by about 10 decibels as it travels through.
What are the three ossicles in the middle ear? Malleus, Incus, Stapes.
What is the smallest bone in the body? The stapes.
What is the function of the Eustachian tube? To equalize air pressure inside the middle ear cavity.
What two muscles are located in the middle ear? The Tensor Tympani and the Stapedius muscle.
Which cranial nerve connects to the Stapedius muscle? The 7th Cranial Nerve (Facial Nerve).
What is "Impedance Matching" in the middle ear? The middle ear structures act as a bridge between airborne pressure waves and fluid-borne waves in the cochlea to prevent energy loss.
What are the two fluids found in the inner ear? Endolymph and Perilymph.
Which fluid is found in the Scala Vestibuli and Scala Tympani? Perilymph.
Which fluid is found in the Scala Media (Cochlear Duct)? Endolymph.
What is the Organ of Corti? The sensory end organ of hearing located on the basilar membrane.
Describe Tonotopic Organization in the cochlea. The cochlea is more sensitive to high-frequency sounds at the base (near oval window) and low-frequency sounds at the apex.
What are Outer Hair Cells (OHCs)? 3-5 rows of cells that act as amplifiers for low-level sounds; they are "personal trainers" for IHCs.
What happens if Outer Hair Cells are damaged? We lose 40-50 decibels of hearing (moderate hearing loss).
What are Inner Hair Cells (IHCs)? A single row of sensory cells that send input to the auditory nerve (afferent projections).
Where does "decussation" (crossover) occur in the central auditory system? At the Superior Olivary Complex (SOC).
At what age is the Central Auditory System considered fully mature? 18-19 years of age.
What are the three main components of the balance system? Visual, Vestibular, and Somatosensory systems.
What do the Semicircular Canals detect? Spinning or angular acceleration.
What do the Utricle and Saccule detect? Linear acceleration (gravity, forward/backward, vertical movement).
What is the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR)? A reflex that stabilizes gaze/vision during head movement.
Where are Otoconia (crystals) located? In the Utricle and Saccule.
What is the "Down 10, Up 5" rule? A threshold search technique: if the patient hears the tone, decrease intensity by 10 dB; if they don't hear it, increase by 5 dB.
What does Air Conduction (AC) testing tell us? The degree, shape, and configuration of hearing loss (tests the whole system).
What does Bone Conduction (BC) testing tell us? The type of hearing loss (bypasses outer/middle ear).
What is the audiogram symbol for the Right Ear (Air Conduction)? Red Circle (O).
What is the audiogram symbol for the Left Ear (Air Conduction)? Blue X.
What does a bracket [ or ] symbol indicate on an audiogram? Masked Bone Conduction.
Define "Normal" hearing on the audiogram. -10 to 10 dB.
Define "Mild" hearing loss. 26–40 dB.
Define "Moderate" hearing loss. 41–55 dB.
Define "Severe" hearing loss. 71–90 dB (implied from chart context between Mod-Severe and Profound).
What is Speech Reception Threshold (SRT)? The lowest intensity level a person can repeat spondee words 50-70% of the time.
What does Tympanometry measure? The admittance (or impedance) of the middle ear system as a function of air pressure changes.
What indicates a Type A Tympanogram? Normal tympanogram (peak at 0 daPa, normal compliance).
What indicates a Type B Tympanogram? A flat tympanogram (often fluid, infection, or perforation).
What indicates a Type C Tympanogram? Negative pressure (peak shifted negative), often due to Eustachian tube dysfunction.
What is the Acoustic Reflex Decay test used for? To identify potential tumors on the auditory nerve; if the muscle fatigues within 5-10 seconds, it may indicate a tumor.
What are Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)? Sounds generated by the cochlea (specifically Outer Hair Cells) that can be measured in the ear canal.
What is the passing criteria for DPOAEs regarding the noise floor? The response must be 6 dB SPL above the noise floor.
What is an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)? An electrophysiological test that tracks neural responses to sound; useful for testing infants or difficult-to-test patients.
What is the "1-3-6 Rule" for newborn hearing? Screen by 1 month, Confirm diagnosis by 3 months, Intervention by 6 months.
Who is a candidate for Hearing Aids? Patients with sensorineural hearing loss causing communication disorders.
What is the most common style of hearing aid? Behind-the-ear (BTE).
What causes hearing aid feedback (whistling)? Amplified sound from the speaker is directed back into the microphone.
Who is a candidate for Cochlear Implants? Adults/children with bilateral moderate-to-profound sensorineural loss who get limited benefit from hearing aids.
What is a Hybrid Cochlear Implant? A device using acoustic stimulation for low frequencies (via hearing aid) and electrical stimulation for high frequencies (via implant).
Who is a candidate for a Bone Conduction Implant? Patients with conductive loss (e.g., atresia) or single-sided deafness.
What specific component of the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is tracked to determine the lowest level a response is generated? Wave V (5).
What is the specific criterion for a "Normal" Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) result? There must be a 6 dB SPL separation above the noise floor.
What indicates a "Positive" (Abnormal) Acoustic Reflex Decay? The stapedius muscle contracts initially but fatigues and returns to baseline within 5-10 seconds. What does a "Positive" Acoustic Reflex Decay potentially indicate?
What constitutes the "Objective" audiology test battery? Tests that do not require a voluntary response: Acoustic Immittance (Tympanometry, Reflexes), OAEs, and Auditory Evoked Tests (ECoG, MLR, LLR, ASSR, ABR) .
In OAE testing, what is the "Signal to Noise Ratio"? The decibel difference between the response (signal) and the "noise floor" (internal/external sounds like breathing) . Topic: Pediatric Assessment & Risk Factors
Which behavioral hearing test is appropriate for infants aged 0-6 months? Behavioral Observation Audiometry.
Which behavioral hearing test is appropriate for children under 4 years old? Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA).
At what age can Play Audiometry typically be introduced? Around 2+ years (often combined with VRA after 3.5 years).
According to the JCIH, what constitutes the "1-3-6 Guideline"? Screen by 1 month, Confirm diagnosis by 3 months, Intervention by 6 months .
List three JCIH risk factors for infant sensorineural hearing loss. Family history, NICU stay >5 days, in utero infections (TORCH), craniofacial malformations, or chemotherapy.
What is "Peri-lingual" hearing loss? Hearing loss that occurs between 2-4 years of age, when the child has developed some language but not full mastery.
What is the FDA-approved age range for pediatric Cochlear Implantation? 9 months (Cochlear Americas) or 1 year (Advanced Bionics/Med-eL) up to 17 years 11 months.
What is the specific candidacy criteria for Adult Cochlear Implants? 18+ years with bilateral moderate-to-severe or profound hearing loss and limited benefit from hearing aids (determined by speech perception scores).
Who is a candidate for a Middle Ear Implant? Patients with moderately severe or severe sensorineural loss who struggle with conventional hearing aids but do not yet require a cochlear implant.
What is the difference between an Aided Audiogram and Verifit? An Aided Audiogram is a subjective behavioral test in the booth; Verifit is an objective measure used to verify the hearing aid fitting.
How is "Threshold" specifically defined in this study guide? The lowest intensity level where a response is obtained 50% of the time in ascending trials (determined by obtaining 2 out of 3 responses).
For Word Recognition Score (WRS) testing, at what level should words be presented? At a 40 dB Sensation Level (SL) above the patient's Speech Reception Threshold (SRT).
What type of hearing loss is indicated by an Air-Bone Gap where Bone Conduction is normal? Conductive Hearing Loss.
What type of hearing loss is indicated when both Air and Bone Conduction are abnormal but within 10 dB of each other (no gap)? Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
What anatomy is assessed when testing linear acceleration? Otolithic Membrane, Macula, Type I & II Hair Cells, Vestibulocochlear Nerve, and Cerebellum.
What are the four core principles of the ASHA Code of Ethics? Principle I: Welfare of persons served; Principle II: Professional competence; Principle III: Responsibility to the public; Principle IV: Professional relationships/dignity .
What does the ASHA Scope of Practice outline? It outlines professional activities an audiologist is qualified to perform, such as hearing/balance assessment, non-medical treatment (hearing aids), education/prevention, and research .
What degree is required to practice Audiology? Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree.
What are the three subdivisions of the Peripheral Auditory System? Outer Ear, Middle Ear, Inner Ear. What landmarks divide the Outer Ear from the Middle Ear?
What landmarks divide the Middle Ear from the Inner Ear? The Oval Window.
What constitutes the Central Auditory Nervous System (CANS)? Brainstem nuclei, thalamus, and auditory cortex.
What is the primary function of the Vestibulocochlear Nerve (8th Cranial Nerve)? It carries sensory information from the cochlea (hearing) and vestibular system (balance) to the brain .
Where is the Vestibule located? Between the cochlea and the semicircular canals. What fluid is found inside the Vestibule?
What are the Otolith Organs and their function? The Utricle and Saccule; they detect linear acceleration and gravity .
What is the function of the Semicircular Canals? To detect spinning or angular acceleration.
What structures are responsible for angular acceleration detection? The Crista Ampullaris (located within the Ampulla) and hair cells.
What is the frequency range of human hearing? 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
What is the intensity range of human hearing (in dB)? -10 dB to 120 dB.
Describe the Inverse Square Law. For every doubling of distance from a sound source, sound pressure decreases by 6 dB. What is "Condensation" in a sound wave?
What reference level is used for calibrating equipment? dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level).
What is 0 dB HL? The average normal hearing threshold for humans across frequencies.
What are the three chambers (Scalae) of the Cochlea and their fluids? Scala Vestibuli (Perilymph), Scala Media (Endolymph), Scala Tympani (Perilymph) . What is the function of the Basilar Membrane?
Where is the Organ of Corti located? On the Basilar Membrane within the Cochlea (Scala Media).
What is the difference in function between Inner and Outer Hair Cells? Inner Hair Cells send signals to the brain (sensory); Outer Hair Cells act as amplifiers (motor function) .
What is the Helicotrema? The passage at the apex of the cochlea connecting the Scala Vestibuli and Scala Tympani.
What is Otoscopy? A visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope.
What is "Impedance Matching"? The middle ear ossicles amplify sound to overcome the loss of energy (approx. 30 dB) when sound travels from air to fluid .
What is the difference between Air Conduction and Bone Conduction pathways? Air Conduction passes through the outer, middle, and inner ear; Bone Conduction bypasses the outer/middle ear to stimulate the cochlea directly .
What is the "Threshold" of hearing? The softest intensity level a person can respond to 50% of the time.
What is a Biologic Check? A daily check performed by the audiologist to ensure equipment is functioning properly.
What is a Conductive Hearing Loss? Normal bone conduction thresholds but abnormal air conduction thresholds (Air-Bone Gap exists).
What is a Sensorineural Hearing Loss? Abnormal air and bone conduction thresholds with no Air-Bone Gap (within 10 dB).
What is a Mixed Hearing Loss? Abnormal air and bone conduction thresholds with an Air-Bone Gap.
What is the "Threshold of Pain"? Approximately 140 dB SPL.
What is the difference between SRT and WRS? SRT (Speech Reception Threshold) is the softest level one can understand speech; WRS (Word Recognition Score) measures clarity/percentage correct at a comfortable level
Created by: user-2006507
 

 



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