Structures & Functions of the Ear/Types of Hearing Loss

Question 1

made of cartilage
collect sound and direct to ear canal
helps w/ localization
protects the middle ear components
amplifies high frequencies

Answer 1

pinna or auricle

Question 2

contains cerumen (wax) glands
funnels sound to the tympanic membrane

Answer 2

external auditory canal (EAC)

Question 3

separate outer ear from middle ear
vibrates in response to acoustic energy
where acoustic energy is changed into mechanical energy

Answer 3

tympanic membrane (ear drum)

Question 4

small, air-filled space within the temporal bone
lined w/ mucous membrane
move mechanical energy to the inner ear

Answer 4

middle ear

Question 5

auditory ossicles (ossicular chain)

Answer 5

malleus (hammer)
incus (anvil)
stapes

Question 6

first bone in the chain
attached to the tympanic membrane

Answer 6

malleus (hammer)

Question 7

middle bone

Answer 7

incus (anvil)

Question 8

last bone
attached to the oval window

Answer 8

stapes

Question 9

separates the middle ear from the inner ear

Answer 9

oval window

Question 10

pressure relief port

Answer 10

round window

Question 11

equalizes pressure between the middle ear with the nasopharynx

Answer 11

Eustachian tube (ET)

Question 12

consists of the cochlea and semi-circular canal
fluid filled space in the temporal bone
contains organ for hearing and balance

Answer 12

inner ear

Question 13

snail-like, fluid filled structure
disrupts the basilar membrane, which serves as a base for the organ of Corti (contains hair cell)

Answer 13

cochlea

Question 14

high pitch

Answer 14

= base of cochlea

Question 15

low pitch

Answer 15

= spec of cochlea

Question 16

regulates balance
within the inner ear
shares fluid with cochlea
consists of three semi-circular canals

Answer 16

vestibular system

Question 17

carries signals for hearing and balance from the inner ear through the brain stem to the brain

Answer 17

auditory/acoustic nerve (CN VIII)

Question 18

energy transmission flow

Answer 18

acoustic–mechanical–hydraulic (mechanical)–electrical

Question 19

when the pathway of sound is blocked in the outer ear or middle ear

Answer 19

conductive hearing loss (CHL)

Question 20

symptoms of CHL

Answer 20

speak softer
body/head noises are more noticeable
pressure in the ear

Question 21

CHL in the external ear

Answer 21

cerumen impaction
foreign body
deformities
collapsed ear canal

Question 22

CHL in the middle ear

Answer 22

middle ear infection (otitis media)
ruptured ear drums
otosclerosis

Question 23

treatment of CHL

Answer 23

temporary will resolved on its own
cleansing, medicine, or surgery

Question 24

typically permanent and untreatable

Answer 24

sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)

Question 25

symptoms of SNHL

Answer 25

speak louder difficulty understanding speech tinnitus loss in high frequencies

Question 26

causes of SNHL

Answer 26

congenital, genetic, prenatal influence ototoxic medicine trauma to the head illnesses aging process (presbycusis) acoustic neuromas (tumors)

Question 27

most frequent form of SNHL that an OHC will encounter damages hair cells as a result of prolonged exposure

Answer 27

noise induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Question 28

noise notch

Answer 28

3-6k Hz most commonly located at 4k Hz

Question 29

treatment of SNHL

Answer 29

hearing aids cochlear implants

Question 30

a person has a combination of conductive (outer/middle ear) and sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 30

mixed loss

Question 31

interference with the pathways from the brainstem to the auditory cortex

Answer 31

central hearing loss

Question 32

no medical or physical reason for the loss conscious exaggeration

Answer 32

non-organic hearing loss (pseudohypacusis/functional hearing loss)

Question 33

symptoms of non-organic hearing loss

Answer 33

booth loss symmetrical hearing loss no response to pure tones restlessness pressing on earphones flinching

Question 34

purpose of lighted ear inspection (LEI)

Answer 34

rule out abnormalities expedite care if needed

Question 35

when to inspect ears

Answer 35

prior to hearing test when fitting HPDs

Question 36

equipment required for LEI

Answer 36

otoscope

Question 37

canal is open TM/malleus is visible

Answer 37

normal findings

Question 38

TM not visible infection drainage blood in canal

Answer 38

do not attempt hearing test

Question 39

foreign body drainage/blood cerumen blocking >25% of TM deformities blocking >25% of TM

Answer 39

do not attempt HPD fitting