Audiometric Testing Procedures Flashcards

What is the purpose of masking during pure-tone audiometry?

Answer: To prevent the non-test ear from responding to cross-heard signals

Masking introduces narrow-band noise to the non-test ear to prevent it from detecting signals intended for the test ear via cross-hearing.

Which audiometric symbol is used to represent unmasked bone conduction thresholds for the left ear?

Answer: [

The bracket '[' pointing right represents unmasked bone conduction thresholds for the left ear on a standard audiogram.

At what interaural attenuation level should a hearing specialist typically apply masking for air conduction testing?

Answer: 40 dB

Masking is generally applied when the air conduction signal in the test ear exceeds the bone conduction threshold of the non-test ear by 40 dB or more.

What does a 'shadow curve' on an audiogram indicate?

Answer: The non-test ear responding to stimuli meant for the test ear

A shadow curve appears when the non-test ear responds to cross-heard signals, mimicking the test ear's response and giving falsely better thresholds.

Which test technique is used to determine the softest level at which a patient responds 50% of the time?

Answer: Modified Hughson-Westlake procedure

The modified Hughson-Westlake ascending technique systematically finds the threshold at which the patient correctly identifies the tone 50% of the time.

What is the typical frequency range tested during a standard pure-tone audiometric evaluation?

Answer: 250 Hz to 8,000 Hz

Standard audiometric evaluation tests octave frequencies from 250 Hz through 8,000 Hz, capturing the speech frequency range and beyond.

How many correct responses out of how many presentations are typically required to establish a threshold in the ascending technique?

Answer: 2 out of 3

Threshold is established when the patient responds correctly to 2 out of 3 presentations at the same level using the ascending approach.