Neurotology/Audiology Flashcards
(159 cards)
Match the terms: Most (efferent/afferent) neurons innervate (inner/outer) Hair Cells.
Efferent neurons predominantly innervate OHCs
Afferent neurons predominantly innervate IHCs
Which of the following have high Na/low K? Select all that apply: Scala tympani, scala vestibuli, cochlea, vestibule, endolymphatic sac
scala tympani, scala vestibuli, endolymphatic sac. (The trick is that endolymphatic sac has perilymph-like concentration despite being named “endolymphatic!”)
What type of OAE is used in neonatal hearing screens?
DPOAEs
How much is a maximal conductive hearing loss?
60dB
What would be the expected results for the following tests in auditory neuropathy: pattern of hearing loss, WRS on audiogram, ABR, acoustic reflexes, tympanometry, OAEs
SNHL, worse WRS than expected compared to PTA, absent ABR, absent ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes, present OAEs, normal tympanometry
Define: interaural attenuation, crossover, masking.
Interaural attenuation = the loss of sound energy from one side of the skull to another
Crossover = the amount of sound that is heard by the contralateral ear
Masking = sound played to the contralateral ear to account for crossover
Which end of the cochlea is sensitive to high frequencies?
Basal turn. The apex is sensitive to low frequencies.
When should masking be considered for air conduction using over the ear headphones, air conduction using insert earphones, and bone conduction?
10dB for bone (interaural attenuation = 0-10dB)
40dB for over ear
70dB for insert
How do dB HL values correspond to SPL vs SL and which one is used for reference in clinical audiometry?
HL is used in clinical audiometry. HL values are not uniformly/linearly corresponded to SPL values, as human hearing is not equally sensitive at all frequencies. SL is equal to HL but calibrated to the individual’s hearing.
What is the difference between hearing level, sound pressure level, and sensation level?
HL = threshold to hear 50% of stimuli in a “normal” ear. SPL = objective measure of sound intensity calibrated to micropascales. SL = individuals’s threshold
How do cochlear hearing losses impact the ABR at low, flat, or high frequencies?
Low frequency HL does not typically affect. Mild to moderate high frequency HL also does not impact so long as the signal/stimulus is adequate. Flat losses >75dB usually make ABR impossible. Everything in between affects waveform/latency/amplitude but not in a predictable way. (Note from Tiff – I included this because this topic came up in an actual question on the boards when I took them. Showed an audiogram with conductive hearing loss and an ABR with waveform latencies/altered audiogram, wanted to know if this is indicative of a retrocochlear lesion or normal for the audiogram. I don’t know if it was an experimental question).
Which level of ECOLI represents the first point of potential crossover to the contralateral side?
The superior olive.
What is auditory fatigue and how is it tested? What does it signify?
Inability to continuously perceive a note presented at a certain frequency at or slightly above db SL. Indicates VIII nerve lesion. May be tested with tone decay test, acoustic reflex delay, or supra threshold adaptation test.
What is the expected pattern of acoustic reflex responses in clinically significant left otosclerosis?
Absent left reflexes to bilateral stimuli. Present right reflexes to right stimulus. Possible present right reflex to left stimulus provided that degree of CHL < 65dB.
WRSs are usually presented at 30-40dB SL. How does that compare to db HL? (Eg if a person has a speech recognition threshold of 25 dB HL, at how many dB HL will a patient typically be presented with the word list for word/speech recognition?)
SRT in dB HL + 30-40 dB. In the given example, presentation will be at 55-65 dB HL.
Explain the pneumonic ECOLI.
Eighth nerve, cochlear nucleus, olivary complex, lateral lemniscus, inferior colliculus
What are the four sources of impedance matching in the middle ear, and how much is added by that source?
1) area effect of the TM (17:1 size difference TM to oval window)
2) lever action of the ossicular chain (additional 1.3:1)
3) natural resonance and frequency of the middle ear/EAC
4) phase difference between the round and oval windows
What is recruitment? What is its significance?
Disproportionate increase in subjective loudness for a given increase in dB stimulus. Indicates cochlear pathology.
What is the transformer ratio of the middle ear? How many dB does that equal?
22:1 (17 area effect x1.3 lever action); 25 dB
What is meant by the “cochlear amplifier”?
Active feedback mechanism causes OHCs to stiffen/relax the basilar membrane so that a narrow band of IHCs will receive maximal stimulation for a given frequency
When might one see a Type Ad tympanogram? (Try to provide at least 1 example).
Decreased compliance/loose compliance - partial ossicular discontinuity/disarticulation, flaccid TM.
Why is the term “sensorineural” favored over “nerve loss” in SNHL?
Because majority of SNHL is cochlear rather than retrocochlear.
What is rollover and what does it signify?
Decrease in word recognition score with increase in presentation volume. Marked rollover suggests retrocochlear lesion; slight may be seen in SNHL or cochlear lesions.
Which of the following does not impact latencies on ABR: Age, Gender, Temperature, Medications, State of Arousal, Hearing Loss.
Trick question! They all impact ABR latencies. However, note that it is generally accepted that they are not acutely affected by most sedative anesthesia, drugs, or state of arousal (hence why a sedated ABR is still accepted as reliable)