Exam Preview

Translating VA Research to Clinical Practice: Optimizing Veteran Outcomes, presented in partnership with American Auditory Society

---

1.  In the 1950s, the work accomplished in VA under the direction of Raymond Carhart: Set in place a procurement program that ensured quality hearing instruments were provided to Veterans. Developed evaluation and treatment methods, and refined electroacoustic evaluation of hearing aids. Ensured Veterans received the same instrument with which he or she had been tested. All of the above

2.  In the 1970s, VA research with University of Maryland focused on development of test procedures for measuring the effectiveness of directional hearing aids, investigation of methods for measuring and specifying intermodulation and transient distortion, development of techniques for measuring the performance of compression hearing aids and the measurement of hearing aids with the mannequin KEMAR and the Zwislocki coupler. These activities were reported and led to: Development and implementation of noise standards for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Development of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for hearing aids, and use by hearing aid manufacturers. Establishment of the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC). Development of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for sound booth acoustics.

3.  The research conducted by Dr. Richard Wilson in VA the 1980s was instrumental to reproducing recorded speech tests to compact disks, and led to the subsequent development of the Words-in-Noise test in 2003. This work: Provided clinical tools to readily assess individual's speech understanding ability. Although important at the time, has little utility today because most clinical audiologists no longer use recorded speech tests. Underscored the importance of measuring not just the audibility of a signal, but also the ability to understand and use the signal. A and C

4.  VA sponsored research in the early 1980s at the Central Institute for the Deaf (by Engebretsen, Popelka, et al) resulted in: invention of the first real-ear measurement system. Initial clinical application of otoacoustic emissions testing. Invention of the first wearable digital hearing aid, and resulting patent that forms the basis for current programmable and digital hearing aids. All of the above

5.  VA did not sponsor which of the following landmark research projects? The first National Conference on Education of the Deaf consensus recommending testing of infants and children 5-12 months of age should be investigated (1967). The first and only prospective multicenter randomized study of advanced cochlear implants (Cohen and Waltzman, 1987-1992). Seminal research on sustained benefits of hearing aids with older adults (Cox, 1992) leading to VA's use of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), the only standardized outcome measure used by Audiology in the US. A large, multi-center randomized clinical trial on hearing aid efficacy (1996 to 1998) and long- term follow-up (2000 to 2004).

6.  What is the appropriate order of steps included in the Progressive Tinnitus Management model developed by VA for use by health care providers? 1-Tinnitus Evaluation, 2-Individualized Management, 3-Counseling / Group Education, 4-Audiologic Evaluation, and 5-Triage / Referral. 1- Counseling / Group Education, 2-Individualized Management, 3-Triage I Referral, 4-Audiologic Evaluation, and 5-Tinnitus Evaluation. 1-Individualized Management, 2-Tinnitus Evaluation, 3- Audiologic Evaluation, 4-Triage / Referral, and 5-Counseling / Group Education 1-Triage / Referral, 2- Audiologic Evaluation, 3-Counseling I Group Education, 4-Tinnitus Evaluation, and 5-individualized Management.

7.  All of the following topics represent important gaps in current research for combat-related disorders and conditions except: Objective measurement of tinnitus, and mechanism for distinguishing central and peripheral effects of tinnitus. Efficacy of real-ear measurements to compare and verify the real-ear acoustical characteristics of a hearing aid with a prescription target. Interactions of cognition with audition (e.g., problems with attention, memoryl learning, executive function, social communication, verbal expression and comprehension), both for impaired hearing and normal hearing acuity. Balance assessment of patients with exposure to blast or head injury, to include independent assessment of each canal.

8.  VA use of telehealth for delivery of audiology services has demonstrated: Patient outcomes are as good as. or better than, traditional face-to-face clinical encounters. Patient outcomes are significantly worse than traditional face-to-face clinical encounters. Patient outcomes are no different than traditional face-to-face clinical encounters. Patient outcomes findings are inconclusive at this time.

9.  VA's Research and Development program: Fosters dynamic collaborations with university partners, other federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private industry — sponsoring auditory research to develop and test novel approaches to prevent, diagnose and assess, and maximize rehabilitation of auditory and vestibular disabilities. Is intramural- meaning only VA employees with at least a 5/8 full-time appointment can conduct research under VA's sponsorship - although, VA researchers typically collaborate with academic institutions. Trains and mentors new scientists, disseminates information to clinicians who assess and treat Veterans with hearing disabilities, and serves as an educational and scientific resource for Veterans and the medical professional community. All of the above

10.  The VA continues use innovation to improve the hearing healthcare provided to Veterans. The two current programs involve what technology: Robotic hearing aid fittings Automated audiometry Hearing aid distance fitting applications B and C