Hearing Loss Audiological Testing and Diagnosis Test 3

Question 1

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) programs primarily use which two tests?

Accepted Answer

OAE and ABR (or AABR)

Answer

UNHS programs rely on OAE testing and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) because both are objective, fast, and do not require behavioral responses from newborns.

Question 2

The acoustic (stapedius) reflex test measures:

Accepted Answer

The contraction of the stapedius muscle in response to a loud sound

Answer

The acoustic reflex is an involuntary contraction of the stapedius muscle triggered by loud sounds (typically 70–100 dB above threshold), detected via changes in middle ear impedance.

Question 3

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is characterized by which combination of test findings?

Accepted Answer

Present OAEs and absent or severely abnormal ABR

Answer

ANSD is defined by the presence of OAEs (indicating intact outer hair cells) combined with an absent or severely distorted ABR, suggesting disrupted neural synchrony rather than cochlear hair cell damage.

Question 4

The Pure Tone Average (PTA) is calculated by averaging hearing thresholds at which three frequencies?

Accepted Answer

500, 1000, and 2000 Hz

Answer

The classic PTA averages thresholds at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz because these frequencies are most critical for understanding speech; the PTA should correlate closely with the SRT.

Question 5

Why is 'masking' used during audiological testing?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the non-test ear from responding to stimuli intended for the test ear

Answer

Masking introduces a noise stimulus into the non-test ear to prevent it from detecting sounds meant for the test ear via cross-hearing (sound crossing the skull), ensuring accurate threshold measurements.

Hearing Loss Practice Test

Hearing Loss Practice Test

Hearing Loss Audiological Testing and Diagnosis Test 3