IHS - International Hearing Society Patient Counseling and Rehabilitation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A new hearing aid user with a long-standing, severe, high-frequency hearing loss is disappointed after their initial fitting, stating, 'Everything sounds so loud and tinny, and I still can't understand my grandchildren perfectly.' What is the most appropriate initial counseling approach?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge their feelings, explain the brain's acclimatization process to new sounds, and reassure them that adjustments will be made over follow-up visits.

Answer

Tell the client that their brain will eventually get used to it and to come back in two weeks.

Answer

Immediately turn down the overall gain and high-frequency amplification to make it more comfortable.

Answer

Suggest they purchase a higher-tier technology level, as it would solve these specific problems.

Question 2

Which of the following is a key 'anticipatory strategy' that a hearing professional should teach a client as part of an aural rehabilitation program?

Accepted Answer

Before going to a new restaurant, looking up the menu online to become familiar with the vocabulary.

Answer

Asking the speaker to rephrase their statement rather than just repeating it.

Answer

Facing the speaker and paying attention to lip movements and facial expressions.

Answer

Blaming the background noise for not understanding the conversation.

Question 3

The Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI) is a validation tool used to measure a patient's progress with hearing aids. What is the primary characteristic that makes the COSI a patient-centered measure?

Accepted Answer

The patient identifies and prioritizes their own specific listening goals, which are then used to measure success.

Answer

It compares the patient's performance to a normative database of other hearing aid users.

Answer

It uses a standardized list of 25 common listening situations to ensure all areas are covered.

Answer

It relies solely on objective real-ear measurement data to determine the final outcome.

Question 4

A client with mild high-frequency hearing loss reports that their primary complaint is bothersome tinnitus, which is especially noticeable in quiet environments. They are anxious and ask what can be done. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial counseling and management strategy?

Accepted Answer

Explain the link between hearing loss and tinnitus, and discuss how sound therapy via hearing aids or other sources can reduce its perception.

Answer

Tell them that tinnitus is incurable and they will simply have to learn to live with it.

Answer

Immediately refer them for an MRI to rule out an acoustic neuroma.

Answer

Recommend they see a psychiatrist for anti-anxiety medication.

Question 5

When counseling the family or significant other of a new hearing aid user, which of the following is the MOST important concept to convey to improve communication for everyone involved?

Accepted Answer

Hearing aids are a significant help, but they can assist by facing the person, speaking clearly, and reducing background noise.

Answer

The hearing aids are a complete cure and will restore hearing to normal.

Answer

They should stop trying to help, as the hearing aid user needs to learn on their own.

Answer

They should always shout to ensure they are being heard by the hearing aid user.

Question 6

What is the primary goal of formal auditory training programs, such as LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement), as part of a comprehensive aural rehabilitation plan?

Accepted Answer

To improve the brain's ability to process and comprehend speech, especially in challenging listening environments.

Answer

To reverse the physiological damage to the cochlear hair cells.

Answer

To measure the remaining amount of residual hearing in a client.

Answer

To teach the client how to properly clean and maintain their hearing instruments.