Basic Audiology MCQs

Basic Audiology MCQs

Our experts have gathered these Basic Audiology MCQs through research, and we hope that you will be able to see how much knowledge base you have for the subject of Basic Audiology by answering these  multiple-choice questions.
Get started now by scrolling down!

1: What is another name for the external ear canal?

A.   Eardrum

B.   Earhole

C.   Pinna

D.   Acoustic Meatus

2: What is the name of the cranial nerve that carries both auditory and vestibular information?

A.   Vestibulocochlear nerve

B.   Trigeminal nerve

C.   Acoustic nerve

D.   Facial nerve

3: What does "acuity" in hearing terms refer to?

A.   The clarity or audibility of sound.

B.   The pitch of sound.

C.   The loudness of sound.

D.   The intensity of sound.

4: What does AD stand for in the medical world?

A.   Audiometry

B.   Auris sinistra, meaning left ear

C.   Auris dextra, meaning right ear

D.   Auditory perception

5: What does AD stand for?

A.   Anno Domini

B.   Aeternitas Dei

C.   Before Christ

D.   After Death

6: What is the opening between the pneumaticized mastoid air cells and the middle ear space called?

A.   Stapes

B.   Aditus

C.   Meatus

D.   Hallus

7: What is an air-conduction threshold?

A.   The highest level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus presented through headphones or insert earphones.

B.   The lowest level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus presented through headphones or insert earphones.

C.   The level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus presented through loudspeakers.

D.   The average level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus presented through headphones or insert earphones.

8: Air-conduction thresholds refer to the:

A.   Loudest level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus

B.   Highest level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus

C.   Lowest level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus

D.   Average level that an individual can hear a pure tone stimulus

9: What is the American Academy of Audiology?

A.   A training facility for audiologists.

B.   A for-profit organization.

C.   A research institution.

D.   Professional organization for audiologists.

10: What is the American Speech-Language Hearing Association?

A.   Professional organization for both speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

B.   A research institute

C.   A lending library

D.   A training institute

11: What does an amplifier do?

A.   Changes the outgoing signal to improve the audibility of the incoming signal.

B.   Increases the incoming signal to improve the audibility of the outgoing signal.

C.   Decreases the incoming signal to improve the audibility of the outgoing signal.

D.   Does not change the incoming signal.

12: What is the purpose of an amplifier?

A.   To decrease the incoming signal to worsen the audability of the outgoing signal.

B.   To decrease the incoming signal to improve the audibility of the outgoing signal.

C.   To increase the incoming signal to worsen the audibility of the outgoing signal.

D.   To increase the incoming signal to improve the audibility of the outgoing signal.

13: What is the function of the ampulla?

A.   The ampulla is responsible for the sense of taste.

B.   The ampulla is responsible for the sense of head rotation.

C.   The ampulla is responsible for the sense of smell.

D.   The ampulla is responsible for the sense of hearing.

14: What is the definition of Anacusis?

A.   Presence of sound

B.   Sensitivity to sound

C.   Deafness

D.   Absence of sound

15: What is the study of the structures of the body called?

A.   Physiology

B.   History

C.   Anatomy

D.   Biochemistry

16: What is the membrane inside the cochlea that separates scala media and scala tympani called?

A.   Tectorial Membrane

B.   Basilar Membrane

C.   Reissner's Membrane

D.   Modiolus

17: What is the Basilar Membrane?

A.   Membrane inside the cochlea that separates scala media and scala tympani; on this membrane rests the organ of Corti.

B.   Membrane inside the nose that separates the nostrils.

C.   Membrane inside the ear that separates the outer ear and the middle ear.

D.   Membrane inside the eye that separates the iris and the cornea.

18: What is Behavioral Audiometry?

A.   A hearing test that can be given to infants.

B.   A hearing test that does not require any response from the individual being evaluated.

C.   A hearing test that requires some type of visible and voluntary response from the individual being evaluated.

D.   A hearing test that only requires an auditory response from the individual being evaluated.

19: What is the electronic portion of a Behind-The-Ear hearing aid connected to?

A.   The outer ear

B.   An earmold

C.   The eardrum

D.   The ear canal

20: What does the term "bilateral" signify?

A.   That both ears or both sides of the head are involved.

B.   That the individual has perfect hearing.

C.   That the individual is deaf in one ear and has normal hearing in the other.

D.   That the individual has two hearing aids.

21: What does Binaural Refers to?

A.   When sound is presented to one ear.

B.   When sound is presented to the nose.

C.   When sound is presented to the mouth.

D.   When sound is presented to both ears.

22: What are the benefits of using hearing aids on both sides?

A.   Two hearing aids required

B.   Less expensive than two hearing aids

C.   Binaural Advantages

D.   Improved hearing in one ear

23: What does calibration refer to in the context of an audiometer?

A.   The process of setting the audiometer to a known sound pressure level

B.   The practice of adjusting an audiometer to produce a desired reading

C.   The regular tuning of an audiometer to set the presentation values at levels consistent with (inter)national standards.

D.   The act of setting an audiometer to zero

24: What does cartilaginous mean?

A.   Comprised of cartilage, a dense but flexible connective tissue.

B.   Resembling cartilage

C.   Being composed of cartilage

D.   Relating to the ovaries

25: Central Auditory Processing refers to the _____

A.   Sound processing in the brain

B.   Sound processing by the auditory nerve

C.   Sound processing in the inner ear

D.   Awareness of an auditory signal in the central nervous system

26: What is the name of the area where the VIII nerve enters the brainstem?

A.   Cerebellopontine Angle

B.   Facial Nerve

C.   Superior Colliculus

D.   Trigeminal Nerve

27: What does cerebellopontine angle refer to?

A.   The area where the VIII nerve enters the brainstem

B.   The area where the pons enters the brainstem

C.   The area where the cerebellum enters the brainstem

D.   The area where the cortex enters the brainstem

28: What is Cholesteatoma?

A.   A malignant expanding mass which can form in the middle ear cavity.

B.   A benign expanding mass which can form in the middle ear cavity.

C.   A benign expanding mass which can form in the throat.

D.   A benign expanding mass which can form in the sinus cavity.

29: What are cilia?

A.   The bones of the middle ear

B.   Tiny hairlike projections on a cell

C.   Small, bean-shaped organs in the ear that help to regulate balance

D.   Tiny projections on cells that help the cell to move

30: What is the name for noises in the output of a hearing aid that are due to the function of the hearing aid's mechanism?

A.   Physical noise

B.   Circuit noise

C.   Transmitter noise

D.   Battery noise

31: What does a Clinical Audiologist specialize in?

A.   The assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing, vision, and balance disorders.

B.   The assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders.

C.   The assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of vision and balance disorders.

D.   The assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing and vision disorders.

32: What is the external auditory meatus?

A.   The area where the ear drum (tympanic membrane) is attached to the bones of the middle ear

B.   The ear canal that helps to protect the ear from debris

C.   The innermost part of the ear that helps to transmit sound waves

D.   The hole in the temporal bone that tunnels the sound from the pinna to the ear drum (tympanic membrane)

33: What tunnels the sound from the pinna to the ear drum?

A.   The pinna

B.   The external auditory meatus.

C.   The ear canal

D.   The temporal bone

34: What is the eardrum also known as?

A.   The tympanic membrane

B.   The stapes

C.   The incus

D.   The malleus

35: What is the purpose of an earhook on a Behind-The-Ear hearing aid?

A.   To protect the ear

B.   To hold the aid in place

C.   To connect the aid's casing to the tubing

D.   To amplify sound

36: What is the Eighth Cranial Nerve commonly known as?

A.   The acoustic or auditory nerve

B.   The trigeminal nerve

C.   The vagus nerve

D.   The glossopharyngeal nerve

37: What does endolymph do?

A.   It is a fluid in the cochlea and vestibular system.

B.   It is a fluid in the membranous labyrinth.

C.   It is a fluid in the scala media.

D.   It is a fluid in the cochlea and the scala media.

38: What is the chemical composition of endolymph?

A.   Equal amounts of sodium and potassium.

B.   High in potassium, and relatively low in sodium.

C.   No sodium or potassium.

D.   High in sodium, and relatively low in potassium.

39: What is the high-pitched whistling sound called that can be emitted by a hearing aid?

A.   Echoing

B.   Resonance

C.   Feedback

D.   Reverberation

40: What is Feedback Suppressor Or Cancellor Technology?

A.   A type of hearing aid that is designed to reduce feedback.

B.   A technology that is designed to limit the amount of feedback experienced by hearing aid users.

C.   A technology that is designed to increase the amount of feedback experienced by hearing aid users.

D.   A type of hearing aid that is designed to alter the phase of the signal to control feedback.

41: Which of the following is true about Fistula?

A.   Fistula is a condition that results in hearing loss and dizziness.

B.   Fistula is an abnormal hole or rupture in the window that connects the middle ear cavity and the cochlea.

C.   There is no cure for Fistula.

D.   Fistula occurs when inner ear fluid leaks into the middle ear.

42: What is Fistula?

A.   A 5th century BC Greek historian

B.   A type of hearing loss and dizziness

C.   A condition in which the inner ear fluid (perilymph) leaks into the middle ear

D.   An abnormal hole or rupture in the window that connects the middle ear cavity and the cochlea

43: What is the footplate attached to?

A.   The malleus

B.   The vestibular window

C.   The two crura

D.   The incus

44: Hearing loss that is present at or before birth is known as _____.

A.   Congenital hearing loss

B.   Fetal hearing loss

C.   Postnatal hearing loss

D.   Prenatal hearing loss

45: What is congenital hearing loss?

A.   Hearing loss that affects only one ear.

B.   Hearing loss that is caused by loud noises.

C.   Hearing loss that gradually develops over time.

D.   Hearing loss that is present at or before birth.

46: What does the VIIIth cranial nerve do?

A.   Helps with balance

B.   Stimulates hair cells

C.   Converts mechanical energy into electrical activity

D.   Carries the impulse to the brain

47: What are hair cells?

A.   Cells present in the cochlea that convert the mechanical energy present in sound vibrations into electrical activity

B.   The cells that give hair its color

C.   The cells responsible for hair growth

D.   Cells that produce keratin

48: What is the term used to describe hearing-impaired individuals with mild to severe/profound hearing impairment who are not deaf?

A.   Deaf

B.   Hard Of Hearing

C.   Speech Impaired

D.   Partially Deaf

49: Hard of hearing individuals are _____

A.   Severely deaf

B.   Not deaf

C.   Profoundly deaf

D.   Mildly deaf

50: The head shadow effect is when a sound source _____.

A.   Is more intense when measured on the other side of the head

B.   Has to make its way around the head

C.   Is presented on one side of the head

D.   Is less intense when measured on the other side of the head

51: What does a hearing aid do?

A.   Records sound

B.   Amplifies sound

C.   Plays sound

D.   Filters sound

52: A hearing aid dispenser is a person who is licensed by the state to dispense hearing aids.

A.   False

B.   True

53: What does a hearing aid dispenser do?

A.   Fixes hearing aids

B.   Trains people to use hearing aids

C.   Sells hearing aids

D.   Person licensed by the state to dispense hearing aids

54: What does impedance mean?

A.   A measure of an object's or medium's resistance to heat

B.   The ability to conduct electricity

C.   The ability of a material to absorb sound

D.   A measure of an object's or medium's resistance to energy flow

55: What is impedance?

A.   The rate of flow of energy

B.   The total amount of energy

C.   The amount of free energy in a system.

D.   A measure of an object or medium's resistance to energy flow.

56: What is an Impression?

A.   A sound-transmitting device

B.   A mold of the concha and ear canal made by a hearing healthcare professional

C.   A hearing aid that sits in and seals the user's ear appropriately

D.   A device used to produce custom-fit hearing aids

57: What does the term "in situ" mean?

A.   On the move

B.   External

C.   In place

D.   Stationary

58: Which of the following is not a type of Hearing Aid?

A.   Completely-In-The-Canal

B.   Behind-The-Ear

C.   In-The-Ear

D.   In-The-Canal

59: What is the telecoil inside of a hearing aid that is activated by electro-magnetic energy coming from a telephone or assistive listening device?

A.   Evanescent Coil

B.   Receiver Coil

C.   Induction Coil

D.   Transmitter Coil

60: What is the telecoil inside of a hearing aid activated by?

A.   Solar power

B.   Water

C.   Battery power

D.   Electro-magnetic energy

61: What does infrared A signal do?

A.   Sends sound via sonar waves

B.   Sends sound via infrared light waves

C.   Sends sound via ultrasonic waves

D.   Sends sound via radio waves

62: What is infrared A?

A.   A signal used by some assistive listening devices to send sound via infrared light waves.

B.   A device that helps the user to hear better

C.   A device that allows the user to see in the dark

D.   A way to send sound through the air

63: What does kHz stand for?

A.   Thousands of hertz

B.   KiloBytes per second

C.   Kibibytes per second

D.   Kilohertz

64: What is the sound level at which a compression device inside a hearing aid starts to function?

A.   Decibels

B.   Kneepoint

C.   Earpoint

D.   Wavelength

65: What is the kneepoint?

A.   The sound level at which a compression device inside a hearing aid starts to function.

B.   The amount of time it takes for a hearing aid to amplify a signal.

C.   The frequency response of a hearing aid at high input levels.

66: What is the Labyrinth?

A.   A structure in the shape of a maze

B.   The hollowed-out area of the skull's temporal bone that contains the cochlea and parts of the balance system.

C.   A passageway or path associated with mazes

D.   A large room or chamber

A.   The child's lack of speech

B.   The child's visual impairment

C.   The child's lack of social interaction

D.   The child's hearing loss

68: What is the Lateral Lemniscus?

A.   A type of pasta

B.   A constellation

C.   Nucleus of the auditory system located after superior olive, but prior to inferior colliculus.

D.   The capital of Latvia

69: Lateralization occurs when an individual hears a sound on:

A.   From a distance

B.   In the middle

C.   One side

D.   Both sides

70: Which of the following is not a function of the Levator Veli Palatini Muscle?

A.   Muscular actions of the soft palate.

B.   ??

C.   Opening the Eustachian tube.

D.   Closing the Eustachian tube.

71: What is the Levator Veils Palatini Muscle responsible for?

A.   One of those responsible for closing the Eustachian tube.

B.   One of those responsible for opening the mouth.

C.   One of those responsible for opening the nasal cavity.

D.   One of those responsible for opening the Eustachian tube.

72: What is Malingering?

A.   The faking of an illness for social or financial reasons.

B.   The faking of a mental illness for social or financial reasons.

C.   The faking of a hearing loss for social or financial reasons.

D.   The faking of a physical disability for social or financial reasons.

73: Malleus is the first/hammer-shaped bone in the ossicular chain, that is attached to the eardrum.

A.   False

B.   True

74: Which of the following is NOT a function of the Malleus?

A.   The first bone in the ossicular chain

B.   A hammer-shaped bone

C.   Attached to the stapes

D.   Connected to the eardrum

75: What is the manubrium of the malleus?

A.   The portion of the malleus that attaches to the incus; the "handle" of the malleus.

B.   The portion of the incus that attaches to the stapes; the "handle" of the incus.

C.   The portion of the malleus that attaches to the tympanic membrane; the "handle" of the malleus.

D.   The portion of the stapes that attaches to the tympanic membrane; the "handle" of the stapes.

76: What is a Masking noise?

A.   A sound that is produced by a muscle spasm

B.   A device used to measure hearing

C.   A device used to clean the ear canal

D.   A sound introduced into an ear system for the purpose of covering up an unwanted sound.

77: What is the purpose of masking noise?

A.   To teach people how to lip read

B.   To make people feel more comfortable in silence

C.   To cover up an unwanted sound

D.   To help people fall asleep

78: Which of the following is not true about mastoid air cells?

A.   The opening between the middle ear and pneumaticized (air-filled) mastoid cells is the aditus.

B.   Mastoid air cells are openings in bone that are filled with air.

C.   The opening between the middle ear and pneumaticized (air-filled) mastoid cells is the eustachian tube.

D.   Mastoid air cells are linked to the inner ear space.

79: What are mastoid air cells?

A.   The opening between the middle ear and pneumaticized (air-filled) mastoid cells.

B.   Connective tissue that binds muscle to bone.

C.   A narrow, bony canal that transmits sound waves to the inner ear.

D.   Openings in bone, filled with air, that are linked to the middle ear space.

80: What is the Node of Ranvier?

A.   Unmyelinated segments of axons, between the myelin sheathes that cover the axon.

B.   The place where the cell stores energy

C.   The outside of the cell membrane

D.   The area where the dendrites and axon come together

81: What are unmyelinated segments of axons between myelin sheathes called?

A.   Nodes of Ranvier

B.   Dendrites

C.   Synaptic cleft

D.   Myelin sheath

82: Which of the following is true about noise-induced hearing loss?

A.   The hearing loss is worse on the side of exposure and is most pronounced in the higher frequencies.

B.   The hearing loss is better on the side of exposure and is most pronounced in the lower frequencies.

C.   The hearing loss is better on the side of exposure and is most pronounced in the higher frequencies.

D.   The hearing loss is worse on the side of exposure and is most pronounced in the lower frequencies.

83: What does "non-linear" refer to in the context of hearing aids?

A.   That the sound is not amplified at a consistent level.

B.   That the amount of gain added to an incoming sound varies based on the intensity of the sound.

C.   That the hearing aid is not worn in the ear.

D.   That the hearing aid does not require batteries.

84: What is nonorganic hearing loss?

A.   Hearing Loss not associated with physical dysfunction of auditory system

B.   Temporary Hearing Loss

C.   Naural hearing loss

D.   Permanent Hearing Loss

85: What is the sensation that results from "plugging up" the ear canal with cerumen, an un-vented hearing aid, or a foreign body?

A.   Hyperacusis

B.   Tinnitus

C.   Occlusion

D.   Deafness

86: What is occupational hearing loss?

A.   A cold

B.   The hearing loss associated with the exposure to loud sounds in a work environment.

C.   AIDS

D.   The flu

87: What does the acronym "OTE" stand for?

A.   On-The-Ear

B.   Optimal Tissue Election

C.   Opposite ear hearing aid

D.   Open ear hearing aid

88: What is the full form of BTE?

A.   Below The Ear

B.   Behind The Ear

C.   Back The Ear

D.   Beside The Ear

89: What is the name of the structure that contains the special sensory receptors inside of the spiral cochlea?

A.   Spiral Cochlea

B.   Organ of Corti

C.   Basilar Membrane

D.   Hair cells

90: What is an oscillator?

A.   A device that is used to produce vibrations

B.   A device that is used to measure vibrations

C.   A device that is used to produce sound

D.   A device that is used to destroy vibrations

91: Why are pressure equalization tubes placed into the tympanic membrane?

A.   To relieve pain in the ear.

B.   To keep pressure levels in the middle ear cavity equal to atmospheric pressure.

C.   To help the doctor see the inside of the ear better.

D.   To allow air to pass from the middle ear to the back of the throat.

92: What is Pars Flaccida?

A.   The portion of the tympanic membrane that does contain a fibrous middle layer

B.   The skin layer of the tympanic membrane

C.   The portion of the tympanic membrane that does not contain a fibrous middle layer

D.   The mucous membrane layer of the tympanic membrane

93: What does Pars Tensa contain?

A.   The outer layer

B.   The membrane

C.   The inner layer

D.   The fibrous middle layer

94: What is the Patulous Eustachian Tube?

A.   A condition in which the eustachian tube, which normally does not open and close, remains closed.

B.   A condition in which the eustachian tube, which normally opens and closes, remains closed.

C.   A condition in which the eustachian tube, which normally does not open and close, remains open.

D.   A condition in which the eustachian tube, which normally opens and closes, remains open.

95: What is the eustachian tube?

A.   The area of the brain responsible for hearing

B.   A muscle that helps to open and close the eustachian tube

C.   A tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose

D.   The part of the ear that is responsible for balance

96: What does a Pediatric Audiologist specialize in?

A.   The evaluation and (re)habilitation of children.

B.   The study of hearing and balance disorders in children.

C.   The prevention of hearing and balance disorders in children.

D.   The treatment of hearing and balance disorders in children.

97: What does "Quality of Life" refer to in hearing terms?

A.   The increased ability to enjoy and pursue daily activities when a hearing loss is addressed with amplification.

B.   The inability to enjoy and pursue daily activities when a hearing loss is addressed with amplification.

C.   The increased ability to enjoy and pursue daily activities when a hearing loss is not addressed with amplification.

D.   The increased ability to enjoy and pursue daily activities when a hearing loss is addressed with medication.

98: What does a Real Ear A measurement show?

A.   The performance of a hearing aid while present in the user's ear.

B.   The user's blood pressure.

C.   The user's temperature.

D.   The user's weight.

99: What does REAR stand for in Real Ear Aided Response?

A.   Real Ear Aided Response

B.   Radially Expanding Auditory Recession

C.   Reticular External Auditory Response

D.   Random External Auditory Response

100: What is the sound measurement achieved by a probe tube placed into an ear canal called?

A.   Real Ear UnOccluded Response

B.   Real Time Occluded Response

C.   Real Ear Occluded Response

D.   Real Time UnOccluded Response