Hearing Science

Question 1

The notation “d HL,” or “HTL” (hearing threshold level), refers to:
a. The average thresholds at different frequencies of a group of young persons with normal hearing
b. The lowest sound pressure level detectable by a person at different frequencies
c. The amount of decibels above a person’s threshold
d. The highest sound level at which a person can discriminate different frequencies
e. The decibel range between threshold and when sounds are uncomfortably loud

Answer 1

a. The average thresholds at different frequencies of a group of young persons with normal hearing

Question 2

Dynamic range is:
a. The range of frequencies humans can hear
b. The decibel range between threshold and the level at which sounds become “felt”/uncomfortably loud
c. The decibel range between threshold and the level at which sounds become painful to hear
d. The decibel range beyond which humans can hear
e. The decibel range below which sounds are inaudible

Answer 2

b. The decibel range between threshold and the level at which sounds become “felt”/uncomfortably loud

Question 3

The range of frequencies that humans with normal hearing can detect is:
a. 20 to 20,000 Hz
b. 125 to 8000 Hz
c. 500 to 5000 Hz
d. 100 to 10,000 Hz
e. 250 to 4000 Hz

Answer 3

a. 20 to 20,000 Hz

Question 4

The frequency range in which most speech sounds occur is:
a. 20 to 20,000 Hz
b. 125 to 8000 HZ
c. 500 to 5000 Hz
d. 100 to 10,000 Hz
e. 250 to 4000 Hz

Answer 4

c. 500 to 5000 Hz

Question 5

5. In general, crossever does not oceur when:
   a. The sound entering one ear is loud enough to be heard in the other ear through bone conduction
   b. Sounds delivered to the ear through air conduction are louder than 40 to 45 dB HL
   c. Sounds delivered to the ear through air conduction are softer than 40 to 45 dB HL
   d. Sound is delivered to the ear through a bone vibrator
   e. A loudspeaker is used to deliver the stimulus

Answer 5

c. Sounds delivered to the ear through air conduction are softer than 40 to 45 dB HL

Question 6

The primary type of energy transferred through the outer ear is:
a. Acoustical
b. Mechanical
c. Hydraulic
d. Electrical
e. Electroacoustical

Answer 6

a. Acoustical

Question 7

Which of the following tissue types is not found in the tympanic membrane?
a. Skin
b. Muscle
c. Cartilage
d. Mucous membrane
e. All the above

Answer 7

c. Cartilage

Question 8

The middle ear functions to match the impedance of _____________ and ________________ in transmitting mechanical vibrations to the cochlea.
a. The ear canal; middle ear space
b. The tympanic membrane; auditory ossicles The auditory ossicles; middle ear muscles
d. Air; cochlear fluid
e. The tympanic membrane; middle ear muscles

Answer 8

d. Air; cochlear fluid

Question 9

At rest under normal conditions, the nasopharyngeal ostium of the eustachian tube is:
a. Open
b. Closed
c. Surrounded by bone
d. Occluded by the adenoids
e. Partially opened and partially closed

Answer 9

b. Closed

Question 10

The eustachian tube of a child is _________________ and _______________
than that of an adult.
a. Longer; wider
b. Longer; more elevated
c. Shorter; more elevated
d. Shorter; more horizontal
e. Shorter; more open

Answer 10

d. Shorter; more horizontal

Question 11

Contraction of the middle ear muscles in response to sound:
a. Protects the inner ear from loud sounds
b. Amplifies the mechanical vibrations of the tympanic membrane
c. Occurs only when the sound is very soft
d. Is measured via tympanometry
e. Does not occur with other stimuli

Answer 11

a. Protects the inner ear from loud sounds

Question 12

Of the following structures, which is not a part of the organ of Corti?
a. Modiolus
b. Inner hair cells
c. Outer pillar cells
d. Phalangeal cells of Deiter
e. Tectorial membrane

Answer 12

a. Modiolus

Question 13

Of the following features of the basilar membrane, which is not essential to the maintenance of the traveling wave?
a. Its mass
b. Its elasticity
c. Its width
d. Its fluid environment
e. None of the above

Answer 13

c. Its width

Question 14

High tones are coded in the ____________ turns of the cochlea.
a. Basal
b. Middle
c. Middle and apical
d. Apical
e. All of the above

Answer 14

a. Basal

Question 15

At the level of the organ of Corti:
a. Acoustical energy is transduced into mechanical energy
b. Mechanical energy is transduced into hydromechanical energy
c. Hydromechanical energy is transduced into bioelectrical energy
d. Mechanical energy is transduced into neural energy
e. Acoustical energy is transduced into hydromechanical energy

Answer 15

c. Hydromechanical energy is transduced into bioelectrical energy

Question 16

Of the following statements, which is false?
a. The ear only receives and transmits sounds to the brain
b. The ear receives, transmits, and produces sounds
c. The inner ear sends and receives information to and from the brain
d. The brain transmits neural messages to both the middle and inner ears
e. All of the above

Answer 16

a. The ear only receives and transmits sounds to the brain

Question 17

Of the following nerves, which does not course through the internal auditory meatus?
a. Facial
b. Auditory
c. Trigeminal
d. Vestibular
e. Nervus intermedius of the facial nerve

Answer 17

c. Trigeminal

Question 18

The central auditory pathways consist of a complex, sequential series of ______________ and ________________that extend from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex and back down again.
a. Ganglia; nerves
b. Ganglia; nuclei
c. Nuclei; nerves
d. Nuclei; fiber tracts
e. Sulci; gyri

Answer 18

d. Nuclei; fiber tracts

Question 19

Of the following structures, which is not a part of the vestibular apparatus?
a. Saccule
b. Utricle
c. Semicircular canals
d. Ductus reuniens
e. Crista ampullaris

Answer 19

d. Ductus reuniens

Question 20

Of the following senses, which does not contribute to maintenance of balance?
a. Proprioception
b. Vision
c. Hearing
d. Vestibular function
e. All of these senses contribute to balance

Answer 20

c. Hearing

Question 21

Which of the following causes of hearing loss is not associated with the outer ear?
a. Microtia
b. Impacted cerumen
c. Otosclerosis
d. Cholesteatoma
e. Swimmer’s ear

Answer 21

c. Otosclerosis

Question 22

Of the following treatments, which is common for middle ear infection in children?
a. Cerumen removal
b. Hearing aid
c. Pressure-equalization tube
d. Cochlear implant
e. Ear plugs

Answer 22

c. Pressure-equalization tube

Question 23

Hearing loss caused by disorders of the inner ear or auditory nerve, or of both, are classified as:
a. Conductive
b. Sensorineural
c. Mixed
d. Central
e. Sensory only

Answer 23

b. Sensorineural

Question 24

In a child with a diagnosis of auditory processing disorder, the suspected site of lesion or dysfunction is:
a. The middle ear
b. The inner hair cells of the cochlea
c. The outer hair cells of the cochlea
d. The central auditory pathways
e. The inner ear and auditory nerve

Answer 24

d. The central auditory pathways

Question 25

Congenital abnormalities of the ear are often accompanied by congenital abnormalities of the
inasmuch as both these organs develop embryologically
at about the same time.
a. Heart
b. Lung
c. Kidney
d. Pancreas
e. Skin

Answer 25

c. Kidney