Free Vermont Hearing Aid Dispenser Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Vermont Hearing Aid Dispenser Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A dispenser is explaining the frequency setting of an audiometer. What does one hertz represent?

   1. A. One vibration cycle per second
   2. B. Ten vibration cycles per second
   3. C. One thousand vibration cycles per second
   4. D. One vibration cycle per minute

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIOSH states, "Hertz (Hz), the unit of frequency corresponding to one vibration cycle per second." Therefore, hertz expresses cycles per second, not level, bandwidth, or duration.

   Reference: Niosh Noise Hearing — Physical Hazards—Sound and Noise, p. 508

2. 2After sound waves enter the outer ear, through which passage do they travel before reaching the eardrum?

   1. A. Cochlea
   2. B. Auditory nerve
   3. C. Ear canal
   4. D. Semicircular canal

   Answer: C

   Explanation: NIDCD states, "Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel through a narrow passageway called the ear canal, which leads to the eardrum." Therefore the ear canal is the passage in this step.

   Reference: How Do We Hear? | NIDCD — How Do We Hear?, step 1

3. 3Which three components does NIDCD identify as the basic parts of a hearing aid?

   1. A. Microphone, telecoil, and speaker
   2. B. Microphone, amplifier, and battery
   3. C. Microphone, volume control, and speaker
   4. D. Microphone, amplifier, and speaker

   Answer: D

   Explanation: NIDCD states, "A hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker." The other sets mix optional features or clinical equipment with device parts.

   Reference: Hearing Aids — Styles/Types & How They Work | NIDCD — What is a hearing aid?

4. 4What frequency range does the federal NCBI hearing-assessment reference give for air-conduction pure-tone thresholds?

   1. A. 250 through 8000 Hz
   2. B. 250 through 4000 Hz
   3. C. 500 through 2000 Hz
   4. D. 9000 through 16000 Hz

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The NCBI reference states, "Pure-tone thresholds are assessed in the air conduction mode (250-8000 Hz)." This is the stated air-conduction range.

   Reference: Assessment of the Auditory System and Its Functions - Hearing Loss - NCBI Bookshelf — Chapter 3, Pure-Tone Threshold Audiometry

5. 5What performance point defines the speech recognition threshold?

   1. A. Detection of 25% of the speech material
   2. B. Recognition of 50% of the speech material
   3. C. Recognition of 75% of the speech material
   4. D. Detection of 100% of the speech material

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The NCBI reference defines SRT as "the minimum hearing level of a speech signal at which a listener correctly repeats 50 percent of the spoken message." It is a recognition measure.

   Reference: Assessment of the Auditory System and Its Functions - Hearing Loss - NCBI Bookshelf — Chapter 3, Speech Audiometry

6. 6What relationship is displayed by a pure-tone audiogram?

   1. A. Word-recognition score as a function of presentation level
   2. B. Acoustic admittance as a function of ear-canal pressure
   3. C. Acoustic-reflex threshold as a function of frequency
   4. D. Detection threshold in dB HL as a function of frequency

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The NCBI reference states, "The audiogram displays a listener's detection thresholds (in dB hearing level ... ) for pure-tone signals at octave frequency intervals."

   Reference: Assessment of the Auditory System and Its Functions - Hearing Loss - NCBI Bookshelf — Chapter 3, Pure-Tone Threshold Audiometry

7. 7A client has aidable hearing loss in both ears and wants improved localization. What fitting is generally recommended?

   1. A. A monaural fitting in the poorer ear
   2. B. A monaural fitting in the better ear
   3. C. A CROS fitting
   4. D. A binaural two-hearing-aid fitting

   Answer: D

   Explanation: NIDCD states, "If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two hearing aids are generally recommended" and notes that bilateral hearing helps locate sound sources.

   Reference: Hearing Aids — Styles/Types & How They Work | NIDCD — Which hearing aid will work best for me?

8. 8Which expectation should a dispenser set when counseling a new hearing-aid user?

   1. A. Improved access to sound without restoration of normal hearing
   2. B. Normal hearing for speech but not for music
   3. C. Normal hearing in quiet but not in background noise
   4. D. Normal hearing after the adaptation period

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIDCD states, "A hearing aid will not restore your normal hearing." Counseling should pair that limitation with the realistic benefit of increased awareness of sounds.

   Reference: Hearing Aids — Styles/Types & How They Work | NIDCD — Which hearing aid will work best for me?

9. 9During an intake, the dispenser observes an ear deformity present since birth. What is the appropriate next recommendation?

   1. A. Refer to a hearing-aid manufacturer
   2. B. Consult a doctor, preferably an ear specialist
   3. C. Refer to an occupational hearing-conservation program
   4. D. Refer only to an assistive-technology resource service

   Answer: B

   Explanation: FDA lists "Visible deformities of the ear since birth or from trauma" among conditions for which the person should consult a doctor, preferably an ear specialist. The finding warrants medical referral.

   Reference: Hearing Aid Benefits and Limitations | FDA — When should I see a doctor?

10. 10A parent asks whether a minor may self-select an OTC hearing aid instead of obtaining professional care. What should the dispenser explain?

    1. A. OTC hearing aids are available to children if gain is limited
    2. B. OTC hearing aids are limited to adults; a minor needs the prescription pathway and medical evaluation is advised
    3. C. A minor may use OTC aids after only an online hearing screen
    4. D. A minor may use OTC aids if a parent signs the sales receipt

    Answer: B

    Explanation: FDA states, "For consumers younger than 18 years of age, you need to purchase your hearing aids by prescription, and you should have a medical evaluation from a doctor, preferably an ENT doctor, before purchasing."

    Reference: How to Get Hearing Aids | FDA — Hearing aids in a nutshell