Aud PRAXIS Practice Test

Nystagmus that is vertical in nature, direction changing, and associated with failure of fixation is connected to a central balance problem. Central balance problems are caused by issues within the central nervous system, particularly in the brainstem or cerebellum. These problems can affect the coordination and control of eye movements, leading to abnormal eye movements like nystagmus. Peripheral balance problems, on the other hand, are caused by issues in the inner ear or vestibular system.

The VNG/ENG test measures the caloric response, which involves stimulating the vestibular system with warm or cold water. In this case, the test result shows a left unilateral weakness, indicating a decreased response in the left ear compared to the right ear. This suggests a dysfunction in the left peripheral vestibular system, which includes the labyrinthine (inner ear) or the 8th cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve). Therefore, the most accurate statement about the results is that it suggests a left peripheral vestibular disorder involving either the labyrinthine or 8th nerve.

The statement "Caloric weakness on the side of stimulation correlates to site of lesion on that same side" is true. This means that when there is weakness in the response of the caloric reflex, which is a test used to assess the function of the vestibular system, it indicates that there is a lesion or damage on the same side of the brain or ear that was stimulated. This correlation helps in diagnosing the location of the lesion and guiding further medical intervention.

Distortion-product otoacoustic emission is a type of otoacoustic emission that requires the use of two oscillators and two attenuators. This technique involves presenting two pure tones to the ear, and the resulting emissions are measured. The emissions occur at different frequencies, which are mathematically related to the frequencies of the two pure tones. This type of otoacoustic emission is often used in audiology to assess the functioning of the cochlea and can provide valuable information about hearing sensitivity and inner ear health.

A Positive Stenger test indicates that a patient is faking a unilateral hearing loss. The Stenger test is a method used to determine if a patient is genuinely unable to hear in one ear or if they are pretending to have a hearing loss. In the test, two identical tones are presented simultaneously to both ears. If the patient is truly unable to hear in one ear, they should only perceive the tone in the other ear. However, if they are faking the hearing loss, they may claim to hear the tone in the "deaf" ear as well. A positive Stenger test confirms that the patient is intentionally faking the hearing loss in one ear.

Nystagmus caused by a labyrinthine lesion is suppressed by visual fixation. This means that when the person with this condition focuses their gaze on a stationary object, the nystagmus is reduced or stopped. Visual fixation helps stabilize the eyes and reduces the abnormal eye movements associated with labyrinthine lesions.

People speak louder in noise and therefor the patient hears better once the conductive component is overcome. People with SNHL don't hear better in background noise - but you knew that ;)

The correct answer is 35 dBA or less and .6 sec of reverb or less. The ANSI guidelines recommend these average noise levels and reverberation times for unoccupied classrooms with a volume of less than 10,000 cubic feet. This means that the noise level should be 35 decibels or lower and the reverberation time should be 0.6 seconds or shorter. These guidelines aim to create an optimal acoustic environment for learning, minimizing background noise and echo in the classroom.

The caloric test is designed to stimulate the lateral semicircular canal. This test involves irrigating the ear canal with warm or cold water, which causes a temperature change in the fluid within the semicircular canals. The resulting movement of the fluid stimulates the hair cells within the lateral semicircular canal, leading to a nystagmus response. This test is used to assess the function of the vestibular system and can help diagnose certain vestibular disorders.

The Stenger test would yield information of greatest importance in the audiologic evaluation of an adult with an average air-conduction threshold of 75 dB HL in one ear and normal sensitivity in the other. The Stenger test is used to determine if a person is intentionally feigning or exaggerating hearing loss in one ear. In this case, the test can help determine if the individual is purposely pretending to have hearing loss in the ear with the 75 dB HL threshold. This information is crucial in accurately assessing the person's hearing abilities and determining appropriate treatment or intervention.

A transverse fracture refers to a fracture that runs horizontally or perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. In the context of the given information, a transverse fracture passing through the vestibulocochlear apparatus can result in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and balance disorders. Additionally, trauma to the temporal bone can damage the membranous labyrinth and vestibule, leading to vertigo. A transverse fracture may also result in a perilymphatic fistula or a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which can further contribute to vertigo. Therefore, a transverse fracture is a plausible explanation for the symptoms described.

Insufficient probe-tube depth in a real-ear sound-pressure measurement with a probe-tube microphone system will tend to decrease the high-frequency response. This is because the probe-tube microphone system is designed to measure sound pressure at the eardrum, and the depth of the probe-tube affects the accuracy of the measurement. If the probe-tube is not inserted deep enough, it may not accurately capture the high-frequency sounds, leading to a decrease in the high-frequency response.

The correct answer is "it is lowest at mid-frequencies." This means that the actual sound-pressure level output of the audiometer earphone is lowest at frequencies in the middle range. This suggests that the earphone is less sensitive to mid-frequencies compared to other frequencies, resulting in lower sound-pressure levels at those frequencies.

The correct answer is 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. This is a complete and accurate list of the signals required by federal regulations for monitoring audiometry in industry.

The Rinne test is the tuning-fort test that most directly predicts the presence of a conductive hearing loss, because it compares air-conduction to bone-conduction reception in the sound. The Weber test will lateralize either to the better-hearing ear in the cases of sensorineural or to the ear with a conductive hearing loss: it only indirectly detects conductive hearing loss. The Schwaback test is subjective and is therefore not as sensitive as the rinne: it is not widely used. The Stenger is not a tuning-fork test.

interaural differences must be at least 15-20% different to be considered significant, so a difference of 12% between the right and left ear responses indicates a caloric response WNL.

(If you think there is a better answer let me know - I had a hard time with this one)

A longitudinal fracture refers to a fracture line that runs parallel to the long axis of the bone. In the context of the given information, a longitudinal fracture can occur in the temporal or parietal region of the skull. This type of fracture can extend through the facial nerve canal, which houses the cranial nerve VII. The associated injury, such as transection or intraneural hemorrhage, can cause facial nerve paralysis. Additionally, a longitudinal fracture may disrupt the ossicular chain, leading to conductive hearing loss.

the hearing test will not be valid according to OSHA if the background noise level is too high when/where the hearing is tested

Under OSHA regulations adopted in March 1983, a standard threshold shift on an annual audiogram is defined as a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at the frequencies of 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz. This means that if there is a 10 dB or more change in hearing threshold at these specific frequencies compared to the baseline audiogram, it is considered a standard threshold shift according to OSHA regulations.

at 1000 Hz, 0 dB SPL = 7 dBSPL, therefore 25 dB HL + 7 = 32.0 dBSPL

A bore with a narrow diameter would NOT enhance the high-frequency response of a hearing aid. A narrow diameter bore restricts the flow of sound into the ear canal, reducing the overall volume and potentially limiting the range of frequencies that can be heard. In contrast, earmold modifications such as using a 4mm or 3mm Libby Horn, a shortened canal, or a bell bore can help improve the high-frequency response by allowing more sound to reach the ear canal and enhancing the amplification of higher-pitched sounds.