Earmold Impressions

Question 1

Careful visualization of this area of the external auditory canal during otoscopy allows audiologists to identify the location of the second bend.

Answer 1

anterior canal wall

Question 2

Ideally, the canal length of an earmold impression will reach this depth to supply all the necessary information on anatomy an earmold manufacturer requires.

Answer 2

2mm past second bend

Question 3

Combines 1:1 polyvinyl-siloxane parts of paste

Answer 3

addition cured silicone

Question 4

Dimethyl-siloxane paste mixed with hardener

Answer 4

condensation cured silicone

Question 5

Dimethyl-siloxane paste mixed with hardener

Answer 5

methyl methacrylate

Question 6

What is the primary reason for using high-viscosity impression material when making earmold impressions?

Answer 6

supplies max stretch of aperature

Question 7

Which 4 case history questions must be asked immediately before every earmold impression is taken (even when you’re working with a well-established patient!)

Answer 7

Are you immunocompromised; have you ever had surgery on your ears; do you take blood thinners; do you have any allergies (silicone or lube ingrediants)

Question 8

Which three case history questions must be asked immediately before every earmold impression is taken (even when you’re working with a well-established patient!)
Are you immunocompromised; have you ever had surgery on your ears; do you take blood thinners

Are you diabetic; do you cough easily; do you bruise easily

Do you use Q-tips; Do you take Heparin; Is the shape of your ear abnormal

Answer 8

Are you immunocompromised; have you ever had surgery on your ears; do you take blood thinners

Question 9

To effectively assess the external auditory canal using diagnostic otoscopy, the audiologist may sit or stand. The viewing position and angle do not make a difference

Answer 9

false

Question 10

Earmold impressions should not be taken when a perforation of PE tube is present

Answer 10

false

Question 11

This type of otoblock allows the audiologist to create a longer impression of the external auditory canal with less patient discomfort.

Answer 11

Cotton otoblock that’s equal in size to the EAC entrance

Question 12

You feel resistance during otoblock insertion suggesting you’ve chosen the correct size. If the resistance suddenly decreases as you move it more deeply in the canal it indicates…

Answer 12

the patients ear canal widens beyond the 2nd bend

Question 13

Open jaw impressions

Answer 13

increases size of the aperature

Question 14

where is the valley

Answer 14

behind helix crus

Question 15

what does the valley become

Answer 15

helix lock for retention

Question 16

why do we fill the valley

Answer 16

where helix lock goes
causes stability & retention of the earmold made

Question 17

what does the crus help with

Answer 17

helps us align the tube orientation correctly

Question 18

what does the concha bowl provide

Answer 18

stability and/or retention

Question 19

keeps earmold from coming out of the ear and provides retention

Answer 19

antitragus

Question 20

what is the isthmus

Answer 20

where canal begins to smallen, transition from cartilage to bone (bone is at or past second bend)

Question 21

does the ear canal space change when we open and close our mouths

Answer 21

YES

Question 22

how can you consider mandible movement

Answer 22

have PT open & close jaw while doing otoscopy

Question 23

does the Length differ for superior and inferior measurements of the canal

Answer 23

YES
b/c TM is oblique

Question 24

avg canal length in adults

Answer 24

25mm

Question 25

Transition from cartilaginous to bony canal

Answer 25

isthmus

Question 26

Distance from canal entrance to isthmus is

Answer 26

aprox. 10mm

Question 27

acoustic seal area

Answer 27

aperture

Question 28

why do we want a stretched aperature? what happens if we don't

Answer 28

stretching makes a well fit earmold if not, it is uncomfortable because the skin rubs against the plastic

Question 29

two goals for earmolds

Answer 29

go 2mm beyond 2nd bend stretch aperature

Question 30

what is addition cured silicone

Answer 30

combines 1:1 polyvinyl-siloxane parts paste

Question 31

what is condensation cured silicone

Answer 31

silicast dimmethyl-siloxane paste mixed with hardener

Question 32

what are the clinical applications of the 3 impression materials

Question 33

what is methyl methaccrylate

Answer 33

powder and liquid used when pt has silicone allergies not used often

Question 34

what is viscosity for

Answer 34

how easy the material flows before it cures thickness

Question 35

describe high viscosity

Answer 35

thick resistance during flow condensation cured silicone stretches aperature

Question 36

describe medium viscosity

Answer 36

some stretch to aperture Addition-cured silicone or methyl-methacrylate

Question 37

describe low viscosity

Answer 37

Runny, loose Flows easily with little resistance Will not alter anatomical structure of ear canal Most suitable for devices requiring deep insertion Addition cured silicone Used for ear attenuation products & deep fitting HA’s

Question 38

what is the importance of stretching the aperture

Answer 38

stretching this area for a well fit earmold if we do not do this we get an uncomfortable earmold because the skin rubs against the plastic

Question 39

what is stress relaxation

Answer 39

materials ability to return to its shape after removal

Question 40

high stress relaxation

Answer 40

you can pull on it and it will pop back into shape and won’t change at all

Question 41

ex of high stress

Answer 41

silicone why it is superior

Question 42

low stress relaxation

Answer 42

distorts as you pull it out of the ear

Question 43

ex low stress

Answer 43

methyl methacrylate

Question 44

what is contraction ratio

Answer 44

shrinkage over a 7 day period

Question 45

little shrinkage

Answer 45

silicone

Question 46

significant shrinkage

Answer 46

methyl mythacrylate

Question 47

what is shore value

Answer 47

after cure hardness stability in impression box

Question 48

______ shore values are more likely to be damaged during shipping

Answer 48

low

Question 49

high shore value

Answer 49

siliconel

Question 50

low shore value

Answer 50

methyl methacrylate

Question 51

Susceptible to heat; requires glue for shipping so it doesn't distort during shipping

Answer 51

methyl methacrylate

Question 52

what are the ear impression steps

Answer 52

infection control case history otoscopy otoblock placement taking the impression otoscopy

Question 53

What is the ideal length of EMI

Answer 53

Ideal placement is 2mm beyond the 2nd bend`

Question 54

what size should foam block b

Answer 54

larger than entrance of canal because it compresses and create a tighter block down the canal

Question 55

what size should cotton block be

Answer 55

about the same size as the entrance

Question 56

what are the steps to confirm otoblock placement

Answer 56

1.Removal string should be in the center of the canal 2.For 2nd bend placements Visualize the anterior canal bend Apply gentle pressure to feel bone on anterior canal wall 3.Check for gaps b/w block and canal wall 4.Apply slight pressure to the center of block It should not move!

Question 57

what are open jaw impressions

Answer 57

Increases the size of the aperture for a snugger fit Condyle of Mandible moves forward pulls on the anterior canal wall

Question 58

single impresion open jaw

Answer 58

horizontal placement

Question 59

bilateral impression placement

Answer 59

vertical in center of mouth

Question 60

post impression treatment

Answer 60

apply pressure to wound for 10 minutes use large cotton otoblock soaked in vasoconstrictor recheck ear canal week later refer as needed