California Audiologist Licensing Exam —
100 Practice Questions, Answers &
Rationales
1–10: Foundations & Hearing Science
1. The primary function of the outer ear is to:
A. Collect and funnel sound waves to the tympanic membrane
B. Convert vibrations to neural impulses
C. Equalize middle ear pressure
D. Maintain balance
Answer: A
Rationale: The pinna and ear canal gather and direct sound toward the middle ear.
2. The middle ear amplifies sound through:
A. Ossicular chain movement (malleus, incus, stapes)
B. Cochlear fluid vibrations
C. Basilar membrane resonance
D. Neural firing
Answer: A
Rationale: Ossicles mechanically increase pressure to drive the oval window.
3. The cochlea’s function is to:
A. Transduce mechanical energy to electrical signals
B. Maintain balance
C. Equalize air pressure
D. Filter background noise
Answer: A
Rationale: Hair cells convert vibration into neural impulses for auditory processing.
4. The organ of Corti is located in the:
A. Cochlea
B. Middle ear cavity
C. Semicircular canals
D. Tympanic membrane
Answer: A
Rationale: It houses hair cells essential for hearing transduction.
5. Low-frequency sounds stimulate:
A. Apex of cochlea
B. Base of cochlea
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Semicircular canals
Answer: A
, Rationale: The apex is tuned for lower frequencies due to its wider, more flexible
membrane.
6. High-frequency sounds stimulate:
A. Base of cochlea
B. Apex
C. Round window
D. Vestibule
Answer: A
Rationale: The base is stiffer and narrower, responding to high frequencies.
7. The auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII):
A. Transmits auditory and vestibular information to the brainstem
B. Controls eye movement
C. Stimulates vocal folds
D. Transmits taste sensation
Answer: A
Rationale: Carries hearing and balance information to central pathways.
8. Decibels (dB) represent:
A. Logarithmic unit of sound intensity
B. Linear frequency scale
C. Wave duration
D. Pitch perception
Answer: A
Rationale: The dB scale quantifies sound intensity relative to a reference level.
9. Normal hearing threshold for adults:
A. 0–25 dB HL
B. 30–50 dB HL
C. 55–70 dB HL
D. 75–90 dB HL
Answer: A
Rationale: Within 25 dB HL is considered normal sensitivity.
10. The speech banana on an audiogram shows:
A. Frequencies and intensities of common speech sounds
B. Bone conduction thresholds
C. Vestibular reflexes
D. OAE responses
Answer: A
Rationale: It represents the hearing range necessary for speech perception.
11–30: Hearing Assessment & Diagnostics
11. Pure tone audiometry measures:
A. Air and bone conduction thresholds
B. Speech discrimination only
C. Reflex thresholds
100 Practice Questions, Answers &
Rationales
1–10: Foundations & Hearing Science
1. The primary function of the outer ear is to:
A. Collect and funnel sound waves to the tympanic membrane
B. Convert vibrations to neural impulses
C. Equalize middle ear pressure
D. Maintain balance
Answer: A
Rationale: The pinna and ear canal gather and direct sound toward the middle ear.
2. The middle ear amplifies sound through:
A. Ossicular chain movement (malleus, incus, stapes)
B. Cochlear fluid vibrations
C. Basilar membrane resonance
D. Neural firing
Answer: A
Rationale: Ossicles mechanically increase pressure to drive the oval window.
3. The cochlea’s function is to:
A. Transduce mechanical energy to electrical signals
B. Maintain balance
C. Equalize air pressure
D. Filter background noise
Answer: A
Rationale: Hair cells convert vibration into neural impulses for auditory processing.
4. The organ of Corti is located in the:
A. Cochlea
B. Middle ear cavity
C. Semicircular canals
D. Tympanic membrane
Answer: A
Rationale: It houses hair cells essential for hearing transduction.
5. Low-frequency sounds stimulate:
A. Apex of cochlea
B. Base of cochlea
C. Tympanic membrane
D. Semicircular canals
Answer: A
, Rationale: The apex is tuned for lower frequencies due to its wider, more flexible
membrane.
6. High-frequency sounds stimulate:
A. Base of cochlea
B. Apex
C. Round window
D. Vestibule
Answer: A
Rationale: The base is stiffer and narrower, responding to high frequencies.
7. The auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII):
A. Transmits auditory and vestibular information to the brainstem
B. Controls eye movement
C. Stimulates vocal folds
D. Transmits taste sensation
Answer: A
Rationale: Carries hearing and balance information to central pathways.
8. Decibels (dB) represent:
A. Logarithmic unit of sound intensity
B. Linear frequency scale
C. Wave duration
D. Pitch perception
Answer: A
Rationale: The dB scale quantifies sound intensity relative to a reference level.
9. Normal hearing threshold for adults:
A. 0–25 dB HL
B. 30–50 dB HL
C. 55–70 dB HL
D. 75–90 dB HL
Answer: A
Rationale: Within 25 dB HL is considered normal sensitivity.
10. The speech banana on an audiogram shows:
A. Frequencies and intensities of common speech sounds
B. Bone conduction thresholds
C. Vestibular reflexes
D. OAE responses
Answer: A
Rationale: It represents the hearing range necessary for speech perception.
11–30: Hearing Assessment & Diagnostics
11. Pure tone audiometry measures:
A. Air and bone conduction thresholds
B. Speech discrimination only
C. Reflex thresholds
