Audiology and Hearing Conservation

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from audiology and hearing conservation.

What is the focus of audiology and hearing conservation?

The prevention, identification, and management of hearing loss and noise exposure.

What are the components of industrial audiology?

Noise monitoring, employee training/testing, hearing protection programs, and record keeping for noise exposure.

What is hearing conservation?

A set of practices designed to protect individuals from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) through monitoring and prevention.

What are the three pillars of evidence-based practice (EBP)?

Best current research evidence, clinical expertise, patient-centered values.

What is considered 'best practice' in audiology?

Using the most up-to-date, research-supported, and patient-appropriate procedures to ensure accuracy and ethical care.

What are the major parts of the auditory system?

Outer Ear (Pinna, ear canal), Middle Ear (Tympanic membrane, ossicles), Inner Ear (Cochlea, vestibular system), and Auditory Nerve (Cranial nerve VIII).

What should be examined during otoscopy?

Normal shape of the pinna, clear ear canal, and normal tympanic membrane with visible landmarks (umbo, cone of light, annulus)

Why is bracing important during otoscopy?

To prevent injury if the patient moves.

What is Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL)?

Hearing loss that involves the outer or middle ear, reducing sound intensity but not clarity.

What is Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)?

Hearing loss that involves the inner ear or auditory nerve, reducing both intensity and clarity.

What is Mixed Hearing Loss?

A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss components.

What is frequency in acoustics?

The number of sound wave cycles per second (Hz) that determines pitch.

What is intensity?

The amplitude of a sound wave that determines loudness, measured in decibels (dB).

What is a decibel (dB)?

A logarithmic unit that measures sound intensity, one-tenth of a bel.

What is a sound level meter?

An instrument that measures environmental noise levels, often using A-weighting (A-scale).

What are calibration requirements for sound level meters?

Annual acoustic calibration by a technician and daily biological listening checks by the clinician.

What are universal precautions?

Infection control procedures to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids.

What are key practices in universal precautions?

Hand hygiene, use of gloves, and additional PPE such as masks and face shields.

What are common bloodborne pathogens of concern?

HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

What is the proper otoscopy procedure?

Wash hands, explain procedure, select speculum size, brace hand, pull ear, insert otoscope and inspect.

What are you looking for during otoscopy?

Cerumen, redness, foreign objects, or abnormal TM color/position.

What is the purpose of hearing screening?

To identify individuals at risk for hearing loss and refer for full audiologic evaluation if needed.

What are the key screening concepts?

Sensitivity, specificity, reliability, and validity.

What are the screening levels for hearing?

20 dB for children and 25 dB for adults.

What are the two main tests for infant hearing screening?

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR).

What is the difference between behavioral and non-behavioral measures?

Behavioral requires patient response; non-behavioral does not and is measured via device.

What does EHDI stand for?

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.

What is JCIH?

Joint Commission on Infant Hearing, which sets national guidelines for newborn hearing screening.

What are JCIH’s key recommendations?

Screen by 1 month, diagnose by 3 months, intervene by 6 months ('1-3-6' rule).

What was the landmark study in the 1980s–1990s regarding hearing loss?

Demonstrated that early detection and intervention dramatically improve speech and language outcomes for children with hearing loss.

What is in the outer ear?

pinna and ear canal

What is in the middle ear?

tympanic membrane, ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes)

What is in the inner ear?

Cochlea, vestibular system, auditory nerve

What is the auditory nerve?

Cranial nerve VIII

What are common causes of CHL?

cerumen impaction, otitis media, TM perforation, ossicular issues

What are common causes of SNHL?

aging, noise exposure, genetic factors, infections

What is sensitivity?

identifies those with a problem

What is specificity?

identify those without a problem

OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions)

are sounds generated by the inner ear that can be measured to assess cochlear function.

ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)

is a test that measures the brain's activity in response to sound and is used to evaluate the auditory pathway from the ear to the brain.