Hearing Flashcards
What is the most common type of hearing loss in older adults?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss (Presbycusis)
C) Central hearing loss
D) Mixed hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss (Presbycusis)
What is a key characteristic of presbycusis in older adults?
A) Rapid onset of hearing loss
B) Hearing loss that begins with high frequencies
C) Difficulty hearing low-frequency sounds
D) Sudden complete deafness
B) Hearing loss that begins with high frequencies
Which of the following is not a cause of sensorineural hearing loss?
A) Age-related degeneration
B) Noise exposure
C) Ototoxic medications
D) Earwax buildup
D) Earwax buildup
What impact does hearing loss often have on the quality of life of older adults?
A) It leads to cognitive improvement
B) It increases social interaction
C) It causes social isolation, depression, and loss of self-esteem
D) It improves communication with family
C) It causes social isolation, depression, and loss of self-esteem
Conductive hearing loss** occurs when:
A) Bone conduction is greater than air conduction
B) Air conduction is greater than bone conduction
C) There is damage to the cochlea
D) There is nerve damage in the inner ear
A) Bone conduction is greater than air conduction
Which of the following is an example of conductive hearing loss?
A) Age-related degeneration of the cochlea
B) Noise-induced hearing loss
C) Cerumen impaction
D) Ototoxic medication-induced hearing loss
C) Cerumen impaction
Which test helps differentiate sensorineural from conductive hearing loss?
A) Snellen test
B) Rinne test
C) Romberg test
D) Mini-Cog test
Correct answer: B) Rinne test
In sensorineural hearing loss, which of the following is true?
A) Air conduction is greater than bone conduction
B) Bone conduction is greater than air conduction
C) Hearing improves with cerumen removal
D) The problem is usually in the middle ear
A) Air conduction is greater than bone conduction
Presbycusis** is typically:
A) Unilateral and fluctuating
B) Symmetrical and gradual
C) Sudden and temporary
D) Asymmetrical and reversible
B) Symmetrical and gradual
Which symptom might be an early sign of hearing loss in older adults?
A) Tinnitus
B) Dizziness
C) Ear pain
D) Sudden hearing improvement
A) Tinnitus
Cerumen impaction** in older adults is primarily caused by:
A) Increased cerumen production
B) A dry and hardened consistency of earwax
C) Excessive hair growth in the ear canal
D) Ear infections
B) A dry and hardened consistency of earwax
Which condition can cause sensorineural hearing loss?
A) Tympanic membrane perforation
B) Otosclerosis
C) Chronic exposure to loud noise
D) Foreign body in the ear
C) Chronic exposure to loud noise
When should older adults be referred to an ENT specialist?
A) In cases of bilateral gradual hearing loss
B) When hearing loss is accompanied by vertigo
C) In cases of unilateral gradual hearing loss
D) When hearing aids are recommended
Correct answer:* B) When hearing loss is accompanied by vertigo
Which type of presbycusis involves a loss of sensory hair cells in the cochlea?
A) Neural presbycusis
B) Strial presbycusis
C) Sensory presbycusis
D) Cochlear conductive presbycusis
C) Sensory presbycusis
What is the treatment of choice for presbycusis?
A) Cochlear implant
B) Amplification with hearing aids
C) Surgical removal of the cochlea
D) Corticosteroid injections
B) Amplification with hearing aids
Which of the following is a cause of conductive hearing loss?
A) Hair cell damage in the cochlea
B) Tympanic membrane perforation
C) Ototoxic drug use
D) Exposure to loud noise
Correct answer:* B) Tympanic membrane perforation
Which of the following is a common risk factor for developing hearing loss in older adults?
A) High sodium diet
B) Exposure to loud noises
C) Frequent exercise
D) Low calcium intake
B) Exposure to loud noises
In the Whisper test, the inability to repeat words whispered into one ear indicates:
A) Sensorineural hearing loss
B) Conductive hearing loss
C) Presence of cerumen impaction
D) Potential hearing impairment
Correct answer: D) Potential hearing impairment
Which of the following is not a cause of sensorineural hearing loss?
A) Noise exposure
B) Ototoxic medications
C) Genetic predisposition
D) Cerumen impaction
D) Cerumen impaction
A tone generator is used in hearing tests to:
A) Diagnose cerumen impaction
B) Test bone conduction
C) Generate different frequencies for hearing evaluation
D) Improve speech discrimination
C) Generate different frequencies for hearing evaluation
Tinnitus** can often be a sign of:
A) Cognitive decline
B) Inner ear dysfunction
C) Outer ear infection
D) Cerumen buildup
Correct answer: B) Inner ear dysfunction
Which of the following medications is associated with ototoxicity?
A) Antihistamines
B) NSAIDs
C) Loop diuretics
D) Beta-blockers
C) Loop diuretics
Which factor most commonly exacerbates hearing loss in older adults?
A) Use of hearing aids
B) Exposure to background noise
C) Regular exercise
D) Frequent use of antibiotics
B) Exposure to background noise
Which type of presbycusis affects speech discrimination the most?
A) Sensory presbycusis
B) Cochlear conductive presbycusis
C) Strial presbycusis
D) Neural presbycusis
D) Neural presbycusis
What type of hearing loss results from damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss
C) Central auditory loss
D) Bone conduction loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss
Which screening tool is used to assess hearing impairment in older adults?
A) Snellen chart
B) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly
C) Romberg test
D) Whisper test
B) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly
Which hearing aid technology is customizable and more commonly used today?
A) Analog hearing aids
B) Digital hearing aids
C) Bone conduction hearing aids
D) Body-worn hearing aids
Correct answer:* B) Digital hearing aids
Hearing aids** are most beneficial for older adults with:
A) Profound hearing loss
B) Neural presbycusis
C) Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
D) Sudden onset of hearing loss
Correct answer: C) Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
When amplification is insufficient for hearing improvement in profound hearing loss, the next step is:
A) Bilateral hearing aids
B) Cochlear implants
C) Medication therapy
D) Surgical tympanic membrane repair
B) Cochlear implants
Bone conduction hearing aids** are useful when:
A) There is significant inner ear damage
B) The ear canal cannot tolerate traditional aids
C) Conductive hearing loss is not present
D) Ototoxic medication use has led to hearing loss
Correct answer:* B) The ear canal cannot tolerate traditional aids
What is the primary cause of presbycusis in older adults?
A) Excess earwax production
B) Degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea
C) Recurrent ear infections
D) Use of certain antibiotics
Correct answer:* B) Degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea
When assessing a patient with sudden unilateral hearing loss and vertigo, the most appropriate next step is:
A) Treat with antibiotics
B) Prescribe hearing aids
C) Immediate referral to an ENT specialist
D) Remove cerumen from the ear canal
Correct answer:* C) Immediate referral to an ENT specialist
Strial presbycusis** is associated with:
A) Atrophy of the stria vascularis
B) Loss of cochlear hair cells
C) Damage to the auditory nerve
D) Excess cerumen production
Correct answer: A) Atrophy of the stria vascularis
Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for hearing loss in older adults?
A) Age
B) Genetics
C) Loud noise exposure
D) Gender
Correct answer: C) Loud noise exposure
Which of the following types of hearing loss is characterized by difficulty hearing in noisy environments?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Neural presbycusis
C) Sensory presbycusis
D) Mixed hearing loss
Correct answer:* C) Sensory presbycusis
Which of the following strategies is most effective for improving communication with older adults who have hearing loss?
A) Speaking in a loud voice
B) Shouting directly into the better ear
C) Facing the person and speaking slowly and clearly
D) Speaking while standing behind the person
Correct answer:* C) Facing the person and speaking slowly and clearly
Which of the following is a key difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?
A) Conductive hearing loss affects the outer and middle ear, while sensorineural affects the inner ear
B) Sensorineural hearing loss is reversible, while conductive is permanent
C) Conductive hearing loss is caused by ototoxic medications, while sensorineural is caused by cerumen impaction
D) Sensorineural hearing loss only affects one ear, while conductive affects both
Correct answer: A) Conductive hearing loss affects the outer and middle ear, while sensorineural affects the inner ear
Which type of hearing aid is typically recommended for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss?
A) Bone conduction hearing aids
B) Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
C) Cochlear implants
D) Behind-the-ear hearing aids
Correct answer: B) Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
An older adult presents with gradual bilateral hearing loss and a history of working in a noisy environment. What is the most likely cause of their hearing loss?
A) Otosclerosis
B) Noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss
C) Conductive hearing loss due to cerumen
D) Ear infection
Correct answer: B) Noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss
In which situation should an older adult with hearing loss be referred for a cochlear implant evaluation?
A) When they have profound hearing loss that does not improve with hearing aids
B) When they have mild hearing loss in one ear
C) When they experience frequent ear infections
D) When they develop conductive hearing loss due to cerumen impaction
Correct answer: A) When they have profound hearing loss that does not improve with hearing aids
When should an older adult with sudden, unexplained hearing loss in one ear be immediately referred to a healthcare provider?
A) After trying ear drops for one week
B) When there is accompanying vertigo
C) After three months of gradual hearing loss
D) If tinnitus is present in both ears
Correct answer:* B) When there is accompanying vertigo
Which of the following is the most appropriate first step in managing hearing loss due to cerumen impaction?
A) Referral to an audiologist for hearing aids
B) Use of cerumenolytic drops to soften earwax
C) Immediate cochlear implant evaluation
D) Steroid treatment for ear inflammation
Correct answer:* B) Use of cerumenolytic drops to soften earwax
Which hearing loss screening tool uses a series of yes/no questions to assess the impact of hearing impairment on an individual’s life?
A) Whisper test
B) Pure-tone audiometry
C) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE)
D) Rinne test
Correct answer:* C) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE)
Which of the following factors contributes most to the progression of presbycusis?
A) Long-term exposure to loud noises
B) High intake of caffeine
C) Use of over-the-counter pain relievers
D) Chronic ear infections in childhood
Correct answer: A) Long-term exposure to loud noises
An older adult is having difficulty hearing conversations in a crowded restaurant. This is most likely due to:
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensory presbycusis
C) Fluid buildup in the middle ear
D) Otitis media
Correct answer: B) Sensory presbycusis
Which of the following is a symptom most often associated with sensorineural hearing loss?
A) Sensation of fullness in the ear
B) Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
C) Pain in the ear
D) Fluid drainage from the ear
B) Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
Which hearing aid type is commonly used for individuals with profound hearing loss?
A) Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids
B) Behind-the-ear hearing aids
C) Bone conduction hearing aids
D) Cochlear implants
D) Cochlear implants
Which hearing test compares air conduction and bone conduction to help differentiate between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss?
A) Whisper test
B) Rinne test
C) Pure-tone audiometry
D) Weber test
B) Rinne test
A patient presents with gradual hearing loss and reports exposure to loud noise over the years. Which type of hearing loss is this patient most likely experiencing?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss
C) Mixed hearing loss
D) Central hearing loss
Correct answer: B) Sensorineural hearing loss
