ABA Preventive Maintenance Procedures 2

Question 1

How often should hearing aid desiccant tablets or jars be replaced to maintain optimal moisture absorption?

Accepted Answer

When the color-change indicator shows saturation or per manufacturer guidelines

Answer

Desiccant effectiveness is indicated by color-change crystals; replacement follows manufacturer guidelines or saturation cues.

Question 2

A patient reports that their BTE hearing aid produces intermittent sound. Which preventive maintenance step should the audiologist perform first?

Accepted Answer

Check and clean the earhook and tubing for debris or moisture blockage

Answer

Intermittent sound in BTE aids is commonly caused by moisture or debris in the earhook or tubing, making inspection the first step.

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of using a hearing aid stethoscope during preventive maintenance?

Accepted Answer

To subjectively listen for distortion, feedback, or intermittency in the hearing aid

Answer

A hearing aid stethoscope allows the clinician to subjectively evaluate sound quality, detecting distortion or intermittency.

Question 4

Which component of a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid most commonly requires replacement during routine maintenance visits?

Accepted Answer

The receiver wire and tip due to cerumen accumulation and physical stress

Answer

RIC receiver wires are prone to cerumen blockage at the tip and mechanical breakage, making them the most frequently replaced component.

Question 5

During a maintenance visit, an audiologist notices the earmold surface has become tacky and discolored. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Material degradation due to aging, skin oils, and chemical exposure

Answer

Earmold materials, particularly softer silicones and vinyls, degrade over time from skin oils, cleaning chemicals, and UV exposure.

(ABA) American Board of Audiology Practice Test