IHS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield IHS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which frequency region is most critical for maximizing speech discrimination when fitting hearing aids? → 2,000–4,000 Hz (high-frequency consonant region)
2. A patient with bothersome tinnitus is being fitted with hearing aids. Which technology feature may provide additional relief beyond standard amplification? → Built-in tinnitus sound therapy programs
3. When reprogramming a repaired hearing aid, what does the audiology assistant do? → Start a new programming session.
4. Which of the following is an example of a 'repair strategy' used in communication rehabilitation? → Asking a speaker to slow down or rephrase after a misunderstanding
5. What do equal loudness contours (Fletcher-Munson curves) demonstrate about human hearing? → The ear's perceived loudness varies with both frequency and sound intensity level
6. Which of the following is considered a method of hearing aid validation, not verification? → Using the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI).
7. According to FTC regulations, what is the MINIMUM trial period a hearing aid dispenser must offer to consumers? → 30 days
8. What is the speed of sound in air at approximately 20°C (68°F)? → 343 m/s
9. What does Type A tympanogram indicate? → Normal middle ear pressure and compliance
10. Which assistive listening system is most commonly installed in theaters, houses of worship, and conference rooms to benefit hearing aid users with telecoils? → Hearing loop (audio induction loop) system
11. According to ASHA guidelines, what is the recommended starting frequency for pure-tone threshold testing? → 1000 Hz
12. A hearing aid wearer complains that their own voice sounds 'hollow' or 'like talking in a barrel.' This phenomenon is called: → The occlusion effect
13. Insertion Loss occurs when; → The level in the ear canal with a hearing aid inserted is less than the input level.
14. A patient with an open jaw impression shows a significant gap between the impression and the tragus area when the mouth is closed. This most likely indicates: → The temporomandibular joint movement was not adequately captured
15. The impedance matching function of the middle ear is primarily achieved by: → The ratio of tympanic membrane area to stapes footplate area
16. What is the standard unit used to measure sound frequency? → Hertz (Hz)
17. A patient reports that their new hearing aids help in quiet but not during phone calls. The BEST immediate counseling step is to: → Demonstrate the telecoil or Bluetooth streaming feature and practice phone use in session
18. A spouse accompanies a hearing-impaired patient to a counseling session and frequently answers questions directed at the patient. The clinician should: → Gently redirect questions to the patient to preserve their autonomy
19. How many correct responses out of how many presentations are typically required to establish a threshold in the ascending technique? → 2 out of 3
20. Which earmold tubing size is most commonly used with a standard behind-the-ear hearing aid for adults? → #13 tubing
21. Tinnitus is MOST accurately defined as: → The perception of sound in the absence of an external acoustic source
22. The tonotopic organization of the cochlea means that: → Low frequencies are processed at the apex and high at the base
23. Which outcome measure is considered most useful for capturing the real-world hearing aid benefit perceived by the patient? → Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB)
24. According to the inverse square law, what happens to sound pressure level when the distance from a point source is doubled? → It decreases by approximately 6 dB
25. Which earmold style is most appropriate for a patient with severe-to-profound hearing loss who needs maximum low-frequency amplification? → Full-shell earmold with no vent or a minimal vent
26. Which audiometric symbol is used to represent unmasked bone conduction thresholds for the left ear? → [
27. Which of the following best describes the attack time of a hearing aid compressor? → Time for gain to decrease after a loud sound onset
28. What does the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) measure in the context of hearing aid validation? → The percentage of speech sounds audible to the patient given the hearing aid response
29. Which of the following best describes a pure tone? → A single-frequency sinusoidal sound wave
30. Which phenomenon describes the bending of sound waves around obstacles or through openings? → Diffraction