G. L. Phoebe Wong _ Audiology in Context Flashcards
What is sound?
Sound refers to vibrations that travel through a medium, usually air (can also be water)
True or false : sound is a physical entity
True
Frequency refers to ____ and level refers to ____
Pitch; loudness/volume
How is level measured?
Level is measured in DECIBELS or dB
Define what sensation is (hint : ears)
Sensation here refers to the concept of hearing with our ears
Define what perception is
Here, perception refers to how we interpret information, otherwise known as “listening with our brain”
Describe the process of sound from waves to sound
(outer ear) Pinna –> ear canal –> (middle ear) eardum –> ossicles (3 smallest bones) –> (inner ear) cochlea –> outer hair cells –> auditory nerve –> auditory cortex
What is the difference between these two hearing assessments : otoscopy vs tympanometry
- Otoscopy - OUTER ear + eardrum test
- Tympanometry - OUTER ear + MIDDLE ear test
Tympanometry - what is used? what does it DO?
An EARPLUG with an air pump is used; it measures the movement of an eardrum
What are OAEs?
Otoacoustic emissions
How are OAEs conducted? What is their purpose?__
- OAEs, similar to tympanometry, are conducted with an EARPLUG playing SOUND
- Looks to test the function (how good) our outer hair cells are
OHCs make loud sounds ______ and quiet sounds _____
quieter, louder
If OAEs aren’t present, what does that mean for our ears?
Because OAEs make our ears ‘dance’, the absence of it means that there is damage in the outer, middle and inner ear.
True or false : OAES aren’t able to be tested on newborns.
False, they can be tested.
In audiometry, what are ‘thresholds’
Thresholds refer to the QUIETEST sounds heard at individual frequencies
What is the standard test in audiometry? Who can participate in this test?
Older kids and adults raise their hands whenever they hear a sound.
Describe the process of visual reinforcement audiometry and WHO it is for?
It is for babies, and it trains them to expect + turn their head to a lit up screen WHEN a sound comes on.
What are the 3 types of hearing loss? (CSM)
Conductive, sensorineural and mixed
Where does conductive hearing loss happen? Permanent or temporary? What is affected?
In the outer and middle ear; it is usually temporary or modified with surgery; loudness is affected
Where does sensorineural hearing loss happen? Permanent or temporary? What is affected?
In the inner ear and nerve, usually permanent (not fixable); clarity AND loudness are affected
Where does mixed hearing loss happen? Permanent or temporary? What is affected?
Outer/middle ear + inner ear (or nerve); is mixed so can be both; can be both
What is the difference between hard of hearing and deaf
Hard of hearing refers to the ability to hear some speech without devices and deaf means that you are unable to hear any speech without devices
What are the four levels of hearing that a hard of hearing individual might fit into?
Slight, mild, moderate, moderately severe
Provide 3 good examples of factors that are effects of hearing loss.
- Difficulty with frequencies
- The ‘listening situation’ - distance from speaker is challenging’
- Difficulty hearing the talker + their speech patterns
- SES and emo. support
- Cog difficulties
True or false : hearing loss is categorical, we can determine it these days practically to a T
False, hearing loss varies a lot at different freq.
What is the numerical range of hearing loss?
0-1.0 or 0-100
In speech audiometry, what do SRT and SAT stand for? (hint : they are tests)
speech reception threshold and speech reception threshold
What is the difference in the results of SRT and SAT
In SRT, patients much hear and be able to repeat the word given to them, but in SAT, they only have to react to it.
What is the difference in the response and results of word and sentence recog. score (WRS vs SRS)
- Response : pointing to pictures OR repeating words VS only repeating sentences
- WRS looks at the % of indiv. words answered correctly, SRS looks at whole sentences
Identify 3 common ways that hearing challenges are managed
- Surgery - for devices or outer/middle ear hearing loss
- Medication
- Rehab (SLP, AUD, teachers)
True or false : Air conduction hearing aids are the most common form.
True
True or false : air conduction hearing aids are good across the board - they can really help people from mild –> severe loss
False, severe/profound hearing loss is usually too much for this one.
What are the limitations of bone conduction hearing aids
- Clarity of the sound compared to other devices
- High freq difficulties
- More difficult to verify information
What is the required candidacy for a cochlear implant?
Inner ear isn’t working and loss is worse, cannot use other hearing aids
Provide 2 limitations for cochlear implants.
- Poorer sound quality than others.
- The nerve MUST be present for it to work
- Large external processor
What are brainstem implants? Who is a candidate?
They are electrodes on cochlear nucleus in medulla; usually someone without the nerve
True or false : the CNS doesn’t HAVE to be functional to have a brainstem implant
False
True or false : Inuktut represents only certain varieties of Inuit languages in Canada
False, all Inuit languages
True or false : In the context of treatment of patients, race is a risk factor
False
