CAOHC - Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation Physics of Sound and Anatomy 1

Question 1

The decibel (dB) scale used to measure sound intensity is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A logarithmic scale based on ratios relative to a reference pressure

Answer

A linear scale where each unit represents an equal increase in energy

Answer

An exponential scale based on absolute sound pressure in Pascals

Answer

A linear scale derived from the speed of sound in air

Question 2

What is the primary role of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in the hearing process?

Accepted Answer

It converts airborne sound pressure waves into mechanical vibrations

Answer

It filters high-frequency sounds before they enter the cochlea

Answer

It equalizes pressure between the middle and outer ear

Answer

It amplifies low-frequency sounds through resonance

Question 3

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the:

Accepted Answer

Nasopharynx

Answer

Inner ear vestibule

Answer

External auditory canal

Answer

Cochlear aqueduct

Question 4

If the frequency of a sound wave doubles, what happens to its wavelength (assuming the speed of sound remains constant)?

Accepted Answer

The wavelength is halved

Answer

The wavelength doubles

Answer

The wavelength remains unchanged

Answer

The wavelength increases fourfold

Question 5

Along the basilar membrane within the cochlea, where are high-frequency sounds preferentially detected?

Accepted Answer

At the base near the oval window

Answer

At the apex (helicotrema end)

Answer

In the middle section called the scala media

Answer

Uniformly distributed along the entire length

Question 6

What term describes the number of complete cycles a sound wave completes per second?

Accepted Answer

Frequency

Answer

Amplitude

Answer

Intensity

Answer

Phase