National Board Certification
in Audiology (CCC-A)
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the outer
ear?
A. Converts sound waves to electrical energy
B. Equalizes pressure between middle ear and atmosphere
C. Collects and directs sound waves to the tympanic membrane
D. Amplifies electrical signals from the cochlea
The pinna and ear canal gather and funnel sound to the eardrum for
mechanical transduction.
2. The primary purpose of tympanometry is to:
A. Evaluate cochlear function
B. Assess middle ear system compliance
C. Measure auditory brainstem responses
D. Determine speech recognition thresholds
Tympanometry measures eardrum mobility and middle ear pressure
to assess conductive integrity.
,3. The stapedius muscle contracts in response to:
A. Low-frequency sounds
B. Loud acoustic stimulation
C. Absence of bone conduction
D. Pressure changes in the Eustachian tube
The acoustic reflex protects the cochlea from loud sounds by
stiffening the ossicular chain.
4. Which of the following frequencies is most affected by
presbycusis?
A. 250 Hz
B. 500 Hz
C. 1000 Hz
D. 8000 Hz
Age-related hearing loss typically affects high frequencies first due to
basal cochlear damage.
5. The audiogram configuration showing a “notch” at 4000 Hz most
likely indicates:
A. Presbycusis
B. Otosclerosis
C. Noise-induced hearing loss
D. Conductive hearing loss
Noise exposure commonly produces a characteristic notch at 3–6
kHz, especially 4 kHz.
6. Which of the following tests evaluates auditory pathway
integrity to the brainstem?
, A. Otoacoustic emissions
B. Tympanometry
C. Pure tone audiometry
D. Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
ABR assesses neural synchrony along the auditory pathway up to the
brainstem.
7. Which of these is considered a conductive hearing loss?
A. Otitis media with effusion
B. Meniere’s disease
C. Presbycusis
D. Acoustic neuroma
Fluid in the middle ear impedes sound conduction, resulting in a
conductive loss.
8. Which part of the cochlea is responsible for frequency
discrimination?
A. Basilar membrane
B. Reissner’s membrane
C. Stria vascularis
D. Modiolus
The basilar membrane varies in stiffness and width, encoding
different frequencies tonotopically.
9. Recruitment is most often associated with:
A. Conductive loss
B. Cochlear (sensorineural) loss
C. Auditory neuropathy
D. Retrocochlear pathology
in Audiology (CCC-A)
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the outer
ear?
A. Converts sound waves to electrical energy
B. Equalizes pressure between middle ear and atmosphere
C. Collects and directs sound waves to the tympanic membrane
D. Amplifies electrical signals from the cochlea
The pinna and ear canal gather and funnel sound to the eardrum for
mechanical transduction.
2. The primary purpose of tympanometry is to:
A. Evaluate cochlear function
B. Assess middle ear system compliance
C. Measure auditory brainstem responses
D. Determine speech recognition thresholds
Tympanometry measures eardrum mobility and middle ear pressure
to assess conductive integrity.
,3. The stapedius muscle contracts in response to:
A. Low-frequency sounds
B. Loud acoustic stimulation
C. Absence of bone conduction
D. Pressure changes in the Eustachian tube
The acoustic reflex protects the cochlea from loud sounds by
stiffening the ossicular chain.
4. Which of the following frequencies is most affected by
presbycusis?
A. 250 Hz
B. 500 Hz
C. 1000 Hz
D. 8000 Hz
Age-related hearing loss typically affects high frequencies first due to
basal cochlear damage.
5. The audiogram configuration showing a “notch” at 4000 Hz most
likely indicates:
A. Presbycusis
B. Otosclerosis
C. Noise-induced hearing loss
D. Conductive hearing loss
Noise exposure commonly produces a characteristic notch at 3–6
kHz, especially 4 kHz.
6. Which of the following tests evaluates auditory pathway
integrity to the brainstem?
, A. Otoacoustic emissions
B. Tympanometry
C. Pure tone audiometry
D. Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
ABR assesses neural synchrony along the auditory pathway up to the
brainstem.
7. Which of these is considered a conductive hearing loss?
A. Otitis media with effusion
B. Meniere’s disease
C. Presbycusis
D. Acoustic neuroma
Fluid in the middle ear impedes sound conduction, resulting in a
conductive loss.
8. Which part of the cochlea is responsible for frequency
discrimination?
A. Basilar membrane
B. Reissner’s membrane
C. Stria vascularis
D. Modiolus
The basilar membrane varies in stiffness and width, encoding
different frequencies tonotopically.
9. Recruitment is most often associated with:
A. Conductive loss
B. Cochlear (sensorineural) loss
C. Auditory neuropathy
D. Retrocochlear pathology
