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Occupational Hearing Loss Flashcards

6 cards from real CAOHC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Occupational Hearing Loss flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss at the cellular level?

    Answer: Destruction of cochlear hair cell stereocilia through mechanical damage and metabolic stress

    Noise-induced hearing loss primarily results from damage to the stereocilia on the outer and inner hair cells of the cochlea.

  2. What is the difference between temporary threshold shift and permanent threshold shift?

    Answer: TTS is a temporary hearing reduction that recovers after rest; PTS is irreversible hearing damage

    A temporary threshold shift recovers after a period away from noise, while a permanent threshold shift represents irreversible damage.

  3. Which frequencies are typically affected first in noise-induced hearing loss?

    Answer: 3000 to 6000 Hz, with the characteristic notch at 4000 Hz

    NIHL characteristically begins in the 3000-6000 Hz range, with the deepest notch typically at 4000 Hz.

  4. How does noise-induced hearing loss differ from age-related hearing loss?

    Answer: Noise-induced shows a notch at 4000 Hz with recovery at 8000 Hz; presbycusis shows a gradual high-frequency slope without recovery

    The key distinction is the notch pattern with 8000 Hz recovery versus gradual slope without recovery.

  5. What role does tinnitus play in occupational hearing loss?

    Answer: Tinnitus often accompanies NIHL and can be an early warning sign of cochlear damage

    Tinnitus frequently accompanies NIHL and can serve as an early indicator, sometimes appearing before measurable threshold shifts.

  6. What is acoustic trauma and how does it differ from chronic noise-induced hearing loss?

    Answer: Acoustic trauma is sudden damage from a single intense event; chronic NIHL develops gradually from prolonged exposure

    Acoustic trauma results from a single exposure to extremely intense sound causing immediate damage, while chronic NIHL develops over months or years.