Auditory Assessment Flashcards

Which masking noise type is most appropriate when masking for pure-tone air conduction testing?

Answer: Narrow-band noise

Narrow-band noise centered at the test frequency is the preferred masking stimulus for pure-tone air conduction testing because it is most effective at masking the specific test tone.

A patient's speech reception threshold (SRT) should agree within how many decibels of the pure-tone average (PTA)?

Answer: 10 dB

The SRT should agree within ±10 dB of the pure-tone average for the results to be considered valid and consistent.

When performing tympanometry, a Type B tympanogram with a large ear canal volume most likely indicates:

Answer: Tympanic membrane perforation

A Type B tympanogram with abnormally large equivalent ear canal volume (ECV) is characteristic of a tympanic membrane perforation or patent pressure equalization tube.

The occlusion effect is most significant at which frequencies?

Answer: Low frequencies (250–500 Hz)

The occlusion effect predominantly enhances bone-conduction thresholds at low frequencies (250–500 Hz) by increasing the sound pressure in the occluded ear canal.

Which test is used to assess the integrity of the efferent auditory pathway?

Answer: Contralateral suppression of OAEs

Contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) tests the medial olivocochlear bundle, which is part of the efferent auditory pathway.

A word recognition score (WRS) of 0–20% at suprathreshold levels most likely indicates:

Answer: Retrocochlear pathology

Extremely poor word recognition scores (0–20%) at comfortable listening levels are a classic indicator of retrocochlear pathology, such as an acoustic neuroma.

During immittance testing, the probe tone frequency used in standard clinical tympanometry for adults is:

Answer: 226 Hz

A 226 Hz probe tone is the standard frequency used for adult tympanometry because it is sensitive to middle ear pressure changes in the adult ear.