IHS Earmold and Impression Techniques 3

Question 1

Silicone impression material is generally preferred over powder-and-liquid acrylic for ear impressions because silicone:

Accepted Answer

Is more dimensionally stable and flexible for easier removal

Answer

Silicone impression materials exhibit excellent dimensional stability after setting and their flexibility allows for easier, safer removal from the ear canal.

Question 2

A patient complains that their new earmold causes a 'plugged up' or occlusion effect when chewing or speaking. The most appropriate first modification would be to:

Accepted Answer

Add or enlarge a vent in the earmold

Answer

The occlusion effect is caused by bone-conducted sound being trapped in a sealed ear canal, and adding or enlarging a vent allows this energy to escape.

Question 3

When using a syringe to inject impression material, the nozzle should be positioned:

Accepted Answer

Touching the otoblock before slowly withdrawing as the canal fills

Answer

Starting at the otoblock and withdrawing as the material fills prevents air pockets from being trapped behind the material as it is injected.

Question 4

Which earmold tubing size is most commonly used with a standard behind-the-ear hearing aid for adults?

Accepted Answer

#13 tubing

Answer

#13 tubing is the standard size used with most conventional BTE hearing aids and provides the appropriate acoustic bore diameter for typical amplification needs.

Question 5

A 'skeleton' earmold differs from a 'semi-skeleton' earmold primarily in that the skeleton style:

Accepted Answer

Has material only in the helix and anti-helix area with an open concha bowl

Answer

A skeleton earmold has a rim of material following the helix and anti-helix contours but leaves the center of the concha bowl open, while a semi-skeleton retains part of the bowl.

IHS - International Hearing Society Practice Test

IHS - International Hearing Society Practice Test

IHS Earmold and Impression Techniques 3