ABA Advanced Diagnostics & Troubleshooting 3

Question 1

A child's ABR shows a present Wave V at 30 dB nHL but absent Waves I–IV. What is this pattern most consistent with?

Accepted Answer

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder

Answer

In ANSD, Wave V may be present but earlier waves (especially Wave I) are absent due to disordered neural synchrony despite intact cochlear function.

Question 2

A high-frequency audiogram notch at 6000 Hz that is not present at 4000 Hz is most likely caused by:

Accepted Answer

Ototoxic drug exposure

Answer

Ototoxic damage (e.g., from cisplatin or aminoglycosides) typically begins in the basal cochlea, creating a high-frequency notch that may first appear at 6000–8000 Hz.

Question 3

During wideband acoustic immittance (WAI) testing, a patient shows a tympanometric resonant frequency of 1500 Hz. This finding suggests:

Accepted Answer

Stiffness-dominated middle ear (e.g., otosclerosis)

Answer

A higher resonant frequency indicates a stiffness-dominated system; normally the middle ear resonates near 800–1200 Hz, so elevation points to conditions like otosclerosis.

Question 4

In a patient with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, ipsilateral MEMR is present but contralateral MEMR is absent. The probe is in the normal ear. What does this pattern indicate?

Accepted Answer

Brainstem lesion disrupting crossed pathways

Answer

When the ipsilateral reflex (probe and activator same ear) is present but the contralateral reflex (activator in the other ear, probe in normal ear) is absent, a lesion disrupting crossed brainstem pathways is implicated.

Question 5

A patient's DPOAE input/output function shows lower DP levels than expected at all f2 frequencies. This is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Outer hair cell dysfunction

Answer

DPOAEs are generated by outer hair cells; globally reduced DP output across frequencies indicates outer hair cell dysfunction.

(ABA) American Board of Audiology Practice Test

(ABA) American Board of Audiology Practice Test

ABA Advanced Diagnostics & Troubleshooting 3