Hearing

Question 1

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

Answer 1

B) Sensorineural hearing loss (Presbycusis)

Question 2

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

Answer 2

B) Hearing loss that begins with high frequencies

Question 3

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

Answer 3

D) Earwax buildup

Question 4

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

Answer 4

C) It causes social isolation, depression, and loss of self-esteem

Question 5

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

Answer 5

A) Bone conduction is greater than air conduction

Question 6

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

Answer 6

C) Cerumen impaction

Question 7

Which test helps differentiate sensorineural from conductive hearing loss?

A) Snellen test
B) Rinne test
C) Romberg test
D) Mini-Cog test

Answer 7

Correct answer: B) Rinne test

Question 8

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

Answer 8

A) Air conduction is greater than bone conduction

Question 9

Presbycusis** is typically:

A) Unilateral and fluctuating
B) Symmetrical and gradual
C) Sudden and temporary
D) Asymmetrical and reversible

Answer 9

B) Symmetrical and gradual

Question 10

Which symptom might be an early sign of hearing loss in older adults?

A) Tinnitus
B) Dizziness
C) Ear pain
D) Sudden hearing improvement

Answer 10

A) Tinnitus

Question 11

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

Answer 11

B) A dry and hardened consistency of earwax

Question 12

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

Answer 12

C) Chronic exposure to loud noise

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Correct answer:* B) When hearing loss is accompanied by vertigo

Question 14

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

Answer 14

C) Sensory presbycusis

Question 15

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

Answer 15

B) Amplification with hearing aids

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Correct answer:* B) Tympanic membrane perforation

Question 17

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

Answer 17

B) Exposure to loud noises

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Correct answer: D) Potential hearing impairment

Question 19

Which of the following is not a cause of sensorineural hearing loss?

A) Noise exposure
B) Ototoxic medications
C) Genetic predisposition
D) Cerumen impaction

Answer 19

D) Cerumen impaction

Question 20

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

Answer 20

C) Generate different frequencies for hearing evaluation

Question 21

Tinnitus** can often be a sign of:

A) Cognitive decline
B) Inner ear dysfunction
C) Outer ear infection
D) Cerumen buildup

Answer 21

Correct answer: B) Inner ear dysfunction

Question 22

Which of the following medications is associated with ototoxicity?

A) Antihistamines
B) NSAIDs
C) Loop diuretics
D) Beta-blockers

Answer 22

C) Loop diuretics

Question 23

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

Answer 23

B) Exposure to background noise

Question 24

Which type of presbycusis affects speech discrimination the most?

A) Sensory presbycusis
B) Cochlear conductive presbycusis
C) Strial presbycusis
D) Neural presbycusis

Answer 24

D) Neural presbycusis

Question 25

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

Answer 25

B) Sensorineural hearing loss

Question 26

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

Answer 26

B) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Correct answer:* B) Digital hearing aids

Question 28

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

Answer 28

*Correct answer:* C) Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss

Question 29

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

Answer 29

B) Cochlear implants

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Correct answer:* B) The ear canal cannot tolerate traditional aids

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Correct answer:* B) Degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Correct answer:* C) Immediate referral to an ENT specialist

Question 33

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

Answer 33

*Correct answer:* A) Atrophy of the stria vascularis

Question 34

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

Answer 34

*Correct answer:* C) Loud noise exposure

Question 35

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

Answer 35

Correct answer:* C) Sensory presbycusis

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Correct answer:* C) Facing the person and speaking slowly and clearly

Question 37

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

Answer 37

*Correct answer:* A) Conductive hearing loss affects the outer and middle ear, while sensorineural affects the inner ear

Question 38

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

Answer 38

*Correct answer:* B) Completely-in-the-canal hearing aids

Question 39

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

Answer 39

*Correct answer:* B) Noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss

Question 40

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

Answer 40

*Correct answer:* A) When they have profound hearing loss that does not improve with hearing aids

Question 41

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

Answer 41

Correct answer:* B) When there is accompanying vertigo

Question 42

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

Answer 42

Correct answer:* B) Use of cerumenolytic drops to soften earwax

Question 43

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

Answer 43

Correct answer:* C) Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE)

Question 44

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

Answer 44

*Correct answer:* A) Long-term exposure to loud noises

Question 45

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

Answer 45

*Correct answer:* B) Sensory presbycusis

Question 46

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

Answer 46

B) Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds

Question 47

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

Answer 47

D) Cochlear implants

Question 47

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

Answer 47

B) Rinne test

Question 48

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

Answer 48

*Correct answer:* B) Sensorineural hearing loss