IHS Instrument Selection 2

Question 1

Which hearing aid style is typically recommended for patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss who require maximum power output?

Accepted Answer

Behind-the-ear (BTE) with custom earmold

Answer

BTE instruments with custom earmolds provide the highest power output and are best suited for severe-to-profound hearing losses.

Question 2

A patient with severe arthritis reports difficulty manipulating small controls. Which hearing aid feature MOST addresses this limitation?

Accepted Answer

Automatic volume and program adjustment without manual controls

Answer

Automatic adjustment eliminates fine motor manipulation, making the instrument manageable for patients with reduced dexterity.

Question 3

Which hearing aid coupling style BEST preserves the natural pinna effect and localization cues?

Accepted Answer

Open-fit receiver-in-canal (RIC)

Answer

Open-fit RIC instruments leave the ear canal largely unoccluded, allowing the pinna to collect sound naturally and preserve directional cues.

Question 4

A completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid is CONTRAINDICATED for which patient?

Accepted Answer

Patient with active chronic ear drainage

Answer

Active ear drainage is a contraindication for deep-canal instruments because moisture damages electronics and the drainage may indicate a condition requiring medical treatment.

Question 5

What is the PRIMARY acoustic advantage of a receiver-in-canal (RIC) instrument over a traditional BTE with earmold?

Accepted Answer

Reduced feedback risk due to greater distance between microphone and receiver

Answer

In RIC instruments, the microphone sits behind the ear while the receiver is in the canal, creating greater physical separation that reduces acoustic feedback.

IHS - International Hearing Society Practice Test

IHS - International Hearing Society Practice Test

IHS Instrument Selection 2