IHS - International Hearing Society Troubleshooting Hearing Instruments Questions and Answers

Question 1

A client with a two-year-old BTE hearing aid and custom earmold reports a recent and persistent issue with feedback (whistling).
The client has not had significant weight changes, and an otoscopic inspection shows the ear canal is clear.
Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the feedback?

Accepted Answer

The earmold tubing has hardened and shrunk over time.

Answer

The microphone ports are clogged with debris.

Answer

The receiver is beginning to fail.

Answer

The hearing aid's vent has become blocked.

Question 2

A client calls stating their Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aid is completely 'dead,' with no sound output. They confirm they have already inserted a fresh, new battery. What is the next most common and user-serviceable component the practitioner should instruct the client to check or change?

Accepted Answer

The wax guard on the end of the receiver.

Answer

The internal circuit board.

Answer

The microphone cover on the hearing aid body.

Answer

The battery contacts inside the battery door.

Question 3

A client reports that their hearing aid produces sound that is 'scratchy and garbled,' particularly at louder volumes. A fresh battery does not solve the problem, and a listening check confirms the distortion. Which component is the most probable source of this issue?

Accepted Answer

A damaged or failing receiver (speaker).

Answer

A blocked earmold vent.

Answer

An over-aggressive noise reduction feature.

Answer

A malfunctioning telecoil.

Question 4

Which of the following is a primary cause of a hearing aid cutting in and out intermittently, assuming the battery is fresh and the battery door is secure?

Accepted Answer

Dirty or corroded battery contacts.

Answer

The hearing aid program has been accidentally changed.

Answer

The earmold tubing has developed a small crack.

Answer

The volume control is set too low.

Question 5

A long-time BTE user complains of very weak volume. They have cleaned the earmold and replaced the battery. A visual inspection shows the tubing is clear. What is the practitioner's MOST logical next step to diagnose the problem in the office?

Accepted Answer

Use a listening stethoscope to check the aid's output directly.

Answer

Immediately send the aid to the manufacturer for repair.

Answer

Schedule the client for a new hearing test.

Answer

Increase the overall gain in the programming software.

Question 6

A client who works outdoors frequently complains that their hearing aids often stop working, especially in the summer. The issue often resolves after the aids sit out overnight. This problem is most characteristic of malfunction due to:

Accepted Answer

Excessive moisture or perspiration.

Answer

Battery drain from Bluetooth streaming.

Answer

Software corruption.

Answer

Earwax blocking the microphone ports.