Advanced Case-Based Mock Exam Questions with Key Answers
1. A patient presents with the following results:
- AC Right: 25 dB
- BC Right: 15 dB
- AC Left: 60 dB
- BC Left: 15 dB
- Masking will be done using supra-aural headphones.
Question:
At 1000 Hz, should you apply masking to the left ear when testing AC right? Justify using IA and
masking rules.
**Answer: B. Yes, because there is a 40 dB difference**
2. You are testing AC thresholds for the right ear and obtain a 65 dB threshold. The left ear bone
conduction is 25 dB. Using supra-aural headphones, what is your initial masking level for the
left ear?
**Answer: C. 55 dB**
3. A patient shows AC thresholds of 80 dB in the left ear and BC thresholds of 20 dB in the right
ear. You suspect cross-hearing. What is the minimum interaural attenuation required to avoid
masking in this scenario?
**Answer: D. 70 dB**
4. You present a 70 dB HL pure tone to the right ear through insert earphones. BC left is 25 dB.
At what point should you begin masking?
**Answer: B. If AC TE - IA ≥ BC NTE**
5. You obtain an AC threshold of 55 dB in the right ear and 20 dB BC in the left ear. Insert
earphones are used (IA = 60 dB). Should masking be used?
**Answer: A. No, because 55 - 20 = 35 dB < IA**
6. What is the plateau method in masking, and when do you reach masking plateau?
**Answer: A. When threshold remains stable despite 5 dB masker increases**
7. Patient reports hearing tone in their left ear when presented with a tone to the right. This
suggests:
**Answer: C. Cross-hearing**
