California Audiologist Licensing Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of the outer ear?
A. Convert sound waves into neural signals
B. Collect and funnel sound waves to the tympanic membrane
C. Equalize pressure in the middle ear
D. Amplify low-frequency sounds
The outer ear gathers sound and directs it to the eardrum for further
processing.
2. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN VIII
D. CN X
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) transmits sound and balance
information to the brain.
3. A patient presents with a conductive hearing loss. Which of the
following is the most likely site of lesion?
A. External auditory canal
B. Cochlea
,C. Auditory nerve
D. Brainstem
Conductive hearing loss results from obstruction or dysfunction in the outer
or middle ear.
4. The decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic. What does a 10 dB increase
represent?
A. 2 times louder
B. 10 times more intense
C. 100 times louder
D. 5 times more intense
Every 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity.
5. Which test is used to assess middle ear function?
A. Pure-tone audiometry
B. Tympanometry
C. Otoacoustic emissions
D. Speech recognition threshold
Tympanometry measures the movement of the tympanic membrane and
can indicate middle ear problems.
6. What is the hallmark audiogram configuration of noise-induced hearing
loss?
A. Flat loss across frequencies
B. Rising configuration
C. Notch at 4000 Hz
D. Cookie-bite pattern
A 4000 Hz notch is characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss.
7. In newborn hearing screening, which of the following is most commonly
used?
A. Tympanometry
B. Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)
, C. Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
D. Speech audiometry
OAEs are quick, non-invasive, and commonly used for infant hearing
screening.
8. What type of hearing loss is associated with damage to the cochlea?
A. Conductive
B. Sensorineural
C. Central
D. Retrocochlear
Cochlear damage causes sensorineural hearing loss.
9. What is the primary treatment for otosclerosis?
A. Antibiotics
B. Stapedectomy
C. Cochlear implant
D. Myringotomy
Otosclerosis involves fixation of the stapes, and stapedectomy is often the
corrective procedure.
10. What is the function of the cochlea?
A. Amplify sound
B. Protect the inner ear
C. Convert mechanical energy into neural impulses
D. Equalize pressure
The cochlea transduces sound vibrations into electrical signals.
11. Which hearing aid style is least visible when worn?
A. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
B. In-the-ear (ITE)
C. Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC)
D. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids fit entirely in the ear canal and are minimally visible.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of the outer ear?
A. Convert sound waves into neural signals
B. Collect and funnel sound waves to the tympanic membrane
C. Equalize pressure in the middle ear
D. Amplify low-frequency sounds
The outer ear gathers sound and directs it to the eardrum for further
processing.
2. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN VIII
D. CN X
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) transmits sound and balance
information to the brain.
3. A patient presents with a conductive hearing loss. Which of the
following is the most likely site of lesion?
A. External auditory canal
B. Cochlea
,C. Auditory nerve
D. Brainstem
Conductive hearing loss results from obstruction or dysfunction in the outer
or middle ear.
4. The decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic. What does a 10 dB increase
represent?
A. 2 times louder
B. 10 times more intense
C. 100 times louder
D. 5 times more intense
Every 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity.
5. Which test is used to assess middle ear function?
A. Pure-tone audiometry
B. Tympanometry
C. Otoacoustic emissions
D. Speech recognition threshold
Tympanometry measures the movement of the tympanic membrane and
can indicate middle ear problems.
6. What is the hallmark audiogram configuration of noise-induced hearing
loss?
A. Flat loss across frequencies
B. Rising configuration
C. Notch at 4000 Hz
D. Cookie-bite pattern
A 4000 Hz notch is characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss.
7. In newborn hearing screening, which of the following is most commonly
used?
A. Tympanometry
B. Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)
, C. Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
D. Speech audiometry
OAEs are quick, non-invasive, and commonly used for infant hearing
screening.
8. What type of hearing loss is associated with damage to the cochlea?
A. Conductive
B. Sensorineural
C. Central
D. Retrocochlear
Cochlear damage causes sensorineural hearing loss.
9. What is the primary treatment for otosclerosis?
A. Antibiotics
B. Stapedectomy
C. Cochlear implant
D. Myringotomy
Otosclerosis involves fixation of the stapes, and stapedectomy is often the
corrective procedure.
10. What is the function of the cochlea?
A. Amplify sound
B. Protect the inner ear
C. Convert mechanical energy into neural impulses
D. Equalize pressure
The cochlea transduces sound vibrations into electrical signals.
11. Which hearing aid style is least visible when worn?
A. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
B. In-the-ear (ITE)
C. Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC)
D. Completely-in-the-canal (CIC)
CIC hearing aids fit entirely in the ear canal and are minimally visible.
