Aural Rehab Exam 2

What five descriptors should be used to describe hearing loss?

Type, degree, configuration, symmetry, and ear affected.

What are the three types of hearing loss?

Conductive, sensorineural, and mixed.

What are the possible degrees of hearing loss?

Slight, mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound.

What are common hearing loss configurations?

Flat, sloping, rising, cookie-bite, and noise notch.

At what frequency is a noise notch typically seen?

4000 Hz.

What does symmetrical hearing loss mean?

Similar hearing levels in both ears.

What does asymmetrical hearing loss mean?

Different hearing levels between ears.

What is unilateral hearing loss?

Hearing loss in one ear.

What is bilateral hearing loss?

Hearing loss in both ears.

What does the x-axis of an audiogram represent?

Frequency (Hz).

What does the y-axis of an audiogram represent?

Intensity (dB HL).

What symbol represents right-ear air conduction?

Red O.

What symbol represents left-ear air conduction?

Blue X.

What symbols represent bone conduction?

Brackets.

What is the hallmark of conductive hearing loss on an audiogram?

Air conduction worse than bone conduction with an air-bone gap.

What is the hallmark of sensorineural hearing loss on an audiogram?

Air and bone conduction approximately equal and both reduced.

What is the hallmark of mixed hearing loss on an audiogram?

abnormal bone conduction/ air worse than bone

What is normal hearing in dB HL?

-10 to 15 dB HL.

What degree of hearing loss is 16-25 dB HL?

Slight.

What degree of hearing loss is 26-40 dB HL?

Mild.

What degree of hearing loss is 41-55 dB HL?

Moderate.

What degree of hearing loss is 56-70 dB HL?

Moderately severe.

What degree of hearing loss is 71-90 dB HL?

Severe.

What degree of hearing loss is 91+ dB HL?

Profound.

What does a Type A tympanogram indicate?

Normal middle-ear pressure, normal mobility/compliance, and normal middle-ear function.

What does a Type As tympanogram indicate?

Reduced mobility (shallow) and a stiff middle-ear system.

What condition is commonly associated with a Type As tympanogram?

Otosclerosis.

What does a Type Ad tympanogram indicate?

Excessive mobility (deep) and a hypermobile tympanic membrane.

What condition is often associated with a Type Ad tympanogram?

Ossicular discontinuity.

What does a Type B tympanogram indicate?

Flat tracing.

What middle-ear conditions can cause a Type B tympanogram?

Middle-ear fluid, tympanic membrane perforation, or PE tube presence.

What does a Type C tympanogram indicate?

Negative middle-ear pressure.

What condition commonly causes a Type C tympanogram?

Eustachian tube dysfunction.

What is a unilateral cochlear implant?

One implanted ear.

What are bilateral cochlear implants?

Two implanted ears.

What are simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants?

Both ears implanted during the same surgery.

What are sequential bilateral cochlear implants?

Ears implanted during separate surgeries.

What does the external microphone do in a cochlear implant?

Picks up sound.

What does the sound processor do?

Filters and processes sound.

What type of signal does the sound processor create?

A digital signal.

Where is the sound processor usually worn?

Behind the ear.

What does the receiver/stimulator do?

Converts the digital signal into an electrical signal.

What does the electrode array do?

Stimulates CN VIII directly.

What does the electrode array bypass?

Damaged hair cells.

Into which cochlear chamber is the electrode array typically inserted?

Scala tympani.

Near which cochlear structure is the electrode array typically inserted?

Round window.

What type of hearing loss is typically required for adult CI candidacy?

Moderate-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

What aided sentence recognition score is required in the ear to be implanted?

≤50%.

What aided sentence recognition score is required in the opposite ear or binaurally?

≤60%.

What hearing-aid criterion is required for adult CI candidacy?

Limited benefit from hearing aids.

What medical criterion is required for adult CI candidacy?

No medical contraindications.

What surgical criterion is required for adult CI candidacy?

Ability to tolerate surgery and anesthesia.

What motivational criterion is required for adult CI candidacy?

Motivation for therapy.

What hearing loss is required for CI candidacy in children 12-24 months?

Profound bilateral SNHL.

What hearing-aid outcome is required for children 12-24 months?

Limited progress with hearing aids.

What family factor is important for pediatric candidacy?

Motivated family.

What hearing loss is required for CI candidacy in children 2-17 years?

Severe-to-profound bilateral SNHL.

What hearing-aid outcome is required for children 2-17 years?

Little progress with hearing aids.

What LNT score is required for children ages 5-17 years?

≤30%.

What MLNT score is required for children 25 months-4 years?

≤30%.

How does sound often seem immediately after CI activation?

Clicks, beeps, robotic speech, high-pitched speech, and unnatural sounds.

Why does sound quality improve over time after implantation?

Brain adaptation.

What typically improves over time with a cochlear implant?

Speech understanding.

Why is mapping necessary?

Every CI user requires individualized programming.

What is the T-level?

Softest electrical stimulation heard 100% of the time.

What is the C-level or M-level?

Most comfortable loudness level.

What does mapping adjust?

Electrical dynamic range.

What does mapping adjust for each electrode?

Loudness levels.

Why are multiple maps needed?

Listening needs vary across environments.

What does the microphone do in a hearing aid?

Picks up sound.

What does the amplifier/processor do?

Increases and processes sound.

What does the receiver do?

Sends amplified sound into the ear.

What does the battery do?

Provides power.

What does a telecoil do?

Receives electromagnetic signals from compatible systems.

What components may cause weak output?

Microphone problem, receiver blockage/damage, or low battery.

What may cause intermittent sound?

Battery contacts, loose wiring, moisture, or weak battery.

What may cause continuous feedback/whistling?

Poor fit, excessive volume, or cerumen blockage.

What does BTE stand for?

Behind-the-Ear.

What is the major advantage of a BTE hearing aid?

Most powerful style.

What is another advantage of a BTE hearing aid?

Durable.

What is the primary limitation of a BTE hearing aid?

Most visible style.

What is an open-fit BTE hearing aid?

A BTE hearing aid with an open ear canal fitting.

What is an advantage of an open-fit BTE hearing aid?

Comfortable.

What is another advantage of an open-fit BTE hearing aid?

Less occlusion.

What type of hearing loss is an open-fit BTE commonly used for?

High-frequency hearing loss.

What is a limitation of an open-fit BTE hearing aid?

Limited power.

What does ITE stand for?

In-the-Ear.

What is an advantage of an ITE hearing aid?

Easier handling.

What is another advantage of an ITE hearing aid?

Larger controls.

What is a limitation of an ITE hearing aid?

More visible.

What does ITC stand for?

In-the-Canal.

What is an advantage of an ITC hearing aid?

Less visible.

What is a limitation of an ITC hearing aid?

Smaller battery.

What is another limitation of an ITC hearing aid?

More difficult to handle.

What does CIC stand for?

Completely-in-Canal.

What is the major advantage of a CIC hearing aid?

Least visible style.

What is a limitation of a CIC hearing aid?

Smallest battery.

What is another limitation of a CIC hearing aid?

Difficult manipulation.

What does CROS stand for?

Contralateral Routing of Signal.

When is a CROS system appropriate?

One unaidable ear and one normal-hearing ear.