CAOHC Occupational Hearing Loss 2

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Perforation of the tympanic membrane from loud sounds

Answer

Dissolution of the ossicles in the middle ear

Answer

Swelling of the auditory nerve from overstimulation

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

TTS only affects one ear while PTS affects both

Answer

TTS is caused by high-frequency noise and PTS by low-frequency noise

Answer

There is no functional difference

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

250 to 500 Hz

Answer

All frequencies equally

Answer

Only frequencies above 8000 Hz

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

They produce identical audiometric patterns

Answer

Presbycusis only affects low frequencies

Answer

Noise-induced loss is always bilateral while presbycusis affects only one ear

Question 5

What role does tinnitus play in occupational hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Tinnitus only occurs with conductive hearing loss

Answer

Tinnitus has no relationship to noise exposure

Answer

Tinnitus is always temporary

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

Acoustic trauma only affects one ear while chronic NIHL affects both

Answer

They are the same condition at different stages

Answer

Acoustic trauma causes low-frequency loss while chronic NIHL causes high-frequency loss