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California (CA) Hearing Aid Dispenser
Examination | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple-choice questions is designed for the California Hearing
Aid Dispenser Examination. The questions cover all key content domains required by the
California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board,
including: anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, audiometric testing and
masking, California laws and regulations (Business and Professions Code, Code of
Regulations), hearing aid technology and electroacoustics, ear impression techniques,
patient evaluation and counseling, medical red flags and referral requirements, and
troubleshooting common hearing aid problems. Each question includes a correct answer
and a concise expert rationale to reinforce understanding of both clinical best practices and
California-specific legal obligations for licensed dispensers.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a hearing aid dispenser license in
California?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No age requirement
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Business and Professions Code requires applicants for a
hearing aid dispenser license to be at least 21 years of age. This is a standard
requirement for professional licensure in the healing arts category in California.
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QUESTION 2
A patient presents with an air-bone gap of 20 dB at 500 Hz, 25 dB at 1000 Hz, and 30 dB
at 2000 Hz. What type of hearing loss does this indicate?
A) Sensorineural hearing loss
B) Conductive hearing loss
C) Mixed hearing loss
D) Central hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The presence of an air-bone gap indicates that bone conduction
thresholds are better than air conduction thresholds, which is the defining characteristic
of conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural loss shows no air-bone gap with both air and
bone thresholds equally reduced.
QUESTION 3
How often must an audiometer used in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids be
checked for calibration in California?
A) Monthly
B) Every 6 months
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Code of Regulations requires that when any audiometer
or other equipment is used in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids, it shall be
kept properly calibrated and the calibration shall be checked at least annually. Daily
biologic checks are also recommended.
QUESTION 4
Which structure in the inner ear is primarily responsible for balance function?
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A) Cochlea
B) Organ of Corti
C) Semicircular canals
D) Oval window
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The semicircular canals contain fluid and hair cells that detect head
movement and rotational acceleration, sending signals to the brain for balance and
equilibrium. The cochlea is responsible for hearing, not balance.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of performing real-ear measurement (REM) during hearing
aid fitting?
A) To test battery life
B) To verify hearing aid performance in the patient's ear canal
C) To determine bone conduction thresholds
D) To calibrate the audiometer
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Real-ear measurement verifies that the hearing aid's output
matches prescribed targets within the patient's own ear canal, accounting for individual
ear canal acoustics. This ensures optimal amplification rather than relying on
manufacturer default settings.
QUESTION 6
A hearing aid dispenser may conduct which of the following at a health fair?
A) Diagnostic hearing tests
B) Binary puretone screening at a preset intensity level
C) Full audiometric evaluation including bone conduction
D) Ear impression taking for custom hearing aids
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Business and Professions Code 2538.12 allows licensees
to conduct hearing screenings at health fairs using binary puretone screening at preset
intensity levels for identifying need for further evaluation. Diagnostic testing is
specifically prohibited in this context.
QUESTION 7
What does a Type B (flat) tympanogram typically indicate?
A) Normal middle ear function
B) Middle ear effusion or perforated tympanic membrane
C) Otosclerosis
D) Sensorineural hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A flat Type B tympanogram indicates little or no compliance of the
tympanic membrane, typically due to middle ear fluid (effusion) or a perforation. This
suggests conductive pathology rather than normal or sensorineural function.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following conditions requires immediate medical referral before fitting a
hearing aid under California regulations?
A) Presbycusis
B) Tinnitus without other symptoms
C) Active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days
D) Bilateral symmetrical hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: California regulations mandate medical referral for active ear
drainage within 90 days, as this may indicate infection or other pathology requiring
California (CA) Hearing Aid Dispenser
Examination | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple-choice questions is designed for the California Hearing
Aid Dispenser Examination. The questions cover all key content domains required by the
California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board,
including: anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, audiometric testing and
masking, California laws and regulations (Business and Professions Code, Code of
Regulations), hearing aid technology and electroacoustics, ear impression techniques,
patient evaluation and counseling, medical red flags and referral requirements, and
troubleshooting common hearing aid problems. Each question includes a correct answer
and a concise expert rationale to reinforce understanding of both clinical best practices and
California-specific legal obligations for licensed dispensers.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a hearing aid dispenser license in
California?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) No age requirement
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Business and Professions Code requires applicants for a
hearing aid dispenser license to be at least 21 years of age. This is a standard
requirement for professional licensure in the healing arts category in California.
,2|Page
QUESTION 2
A patient presents with an air-bone gap of 20 dB at 500 Hz, 25 dB at 1000 Hz, and 30 dB
at 2000 Hz. What type of hearing loss does this indicate?
A) Sensorineural hearing loss
B) Conductive hearing loss
C) Mixed hearing loss
D) Central hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The presence of an air-bone gap indicates that bone conduction
thresholds are better than air conduction thresholds, which is the defining characteristic
of conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural loss shows no air-bone gap with both air and
bone thresholds equally reduced.
QUESTION 3
How often must an audiometer used in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids be
checked for calibration in California?
A) Monthly
B) Every 6 months
C) Annually
D) Every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Code of Regulations requires that when any audiometer
or other equipment is used in the practice of fitting or selling hearing aids, it shall be
kept properly calibrated and the calibration shall be checked at least annually. Daily
biologic checks are also recommended.
QUESTION 4
Which structure in the inner ear is primarily responsible for balance function?
,3|Page
A) Cochlea
B) Organ of Corti
C) Semicircular canals
D) Oval window
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The semicircular canals contain fluid and hair cells that detect head
movement and rotational acceleration, sending signals to the brain for balance and
equilibrium. The cochlea is responsible for hearing, not balance.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of performing real-ear measurement (REM) during hearing
aid fitting?
A) To test battery life
B) To verify hearing aid performance in the patient's ear canal
C) To determine bone conduction thresholds
D) To calibrate the audiometer
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Real-ear measurement verifies that the hearing aid's output
matches prescribed targets within the patient's own ear canal, accounting for individual
ear canal acoustics. This ensures optimal amplification rather than relying on
manufacturer default settings.
QUESTION 6
A hearing aid dispenser may conduct which of the following at a health fair?
A) Diagnostic hearing tests
B) Binary puretone screening at a preset intensity level
C) Full audiometric evaluation including bone conduction
D) Ear impression taking for custom hearing aids
, 4|Page
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: California Business and Professions Code 2538.12 allows licensees
to conduct hearing screenings at health fairs using binary puretone screening at preset
intensity levels for identifying need for further evaluation. Diagnostic testing is
specifically prohibited in this context.
QUESTION 7
What does a Type B (flat) tympanogram typically indicate?
A) Normal middle ear function
B) Middle ear effusion or perforated tympanic membrane
C) Otosclerosis
D) Sensorineural hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A flat Type B tympanogram indicates little or no compliance of the
tympanic membrane, typically due to middle ear fluid (effusion) or a perforation. This
suggests conductive pathology rather than normal or sensorineural function.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following conditions requires immediate medical referral before fitting a
hearing aid under California regulations?
A) Presbycusis
B) Tinnitus without other symptoms
C) Active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days
D) Bilateral symmetrical hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: California regulations mandate medical referral for active ear
drainage within 90 days, as this may indicate infection or other pathology requiring
