Audiologist Licensure Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
Comprehensive Review of Audiology Principles, Diagnostics, Rehabilitation, and Professional Practice
- The outer ear primarily functions to
- Equalize middle ear pressure
- Collect and funnel sound into the ear canal
- Convert sound to neural impulses
- Amplify low-frequency sounds
Rationale: The outer ear collects and directs sound waves toward the
tympanic membrane, enhancing sound localization and transmission.
- The cochlea is responsible for
- Maintaining balance
- Transducing mechanical sound vibrations into neural signals 1 / 4
- Equalizing air pressure
- Amplifying sound intensity
Rationale: The cochlea’s hair cells convert mechanical vibrations into
electrical impulses interpreted by the brain as sound.
- Which cranial nerve is associated with hearing and balance?
- Trigeminal (V)
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
- Facial (VII)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
Rationale: The vestibulocochlear nerve carries auditory and balance
information from the inner ear to the brain.
- The main purpose of tympanometry is to
- Measure auditory thresholds
- Test neural integrity
- Assess middle ear function and tympanic membrane mobility
- Evaluate cochlear hair cell response
Rationale: Tympanometry evaluates the compliance of the tympanic
membrane and middle ear pressure.
- A Type B tympanogram indicates
- Normal middle ear pressure
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Middle ear fluid or perforation
- Ossicular discontinuity 2 / 4
Rationale: Type B curves indicate reduced mobility, often due to
effusion or perforation of the tympanic membrane.
- Bone conduction testing bypasses
- Outer ear
- Middle ear
- Both outer and middle ear
- Inner ear
Rationale: Bone conduction directly stimulates the cochlea,
bypassing the outer and middle ear.
- Speech reception threshold (SRT) measures
- The softest level speech is detected
- The lowest level at which speech can be understood 50% of the
- Speech discrimination ability
- Noise tolerance levels
time
Rationale: SRT reflects the minimum intensity where a listener can
recognize familiar two-syllable words 50% of the time.
- A notched audiogram at 4000 Hz typically indicates
- Otosclerosis
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Meniere’s disease
- Presbycusis 3 / 4
Rationale: The classic 4 kHz notch is characteristic of acoustic trauma
or long-term noise exposure.
- Presbycusis usually affects which frequencies first?
- Low frequencies
- High frequencies
- Mid frequencies
- All frequencies equally
Rationale: Age-related hearing loss begins in the high-frequency
range due to degeneration of hair cells at the cochlear base.
- The main function of the semicircular canals is
- Sound localization
- Detection of angular acceleration
- Pressure equalization
- Linear acceleration
Rationale: The semicircular canals detect head rotation and angular
movement for balance control.
- The saccule and utricle are responsible for detecting
- Angular motion
- Linear acceleration and gravity
- Rotational movement
- Air pressure changes
Rationale: These otolithic organs sense linear acceleration and
gravitational position.
- / 4