International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What does crossover refer to in audiometric testing?

1. The inability to hear sounds in one ear

2. The sound intensity reaching the opposite cochlea

3. The comparison of air versus bone conduction

4. The measurement of background noise

The correct answer is: The sound intensity reaching the opposite cochlea

Crossover in audiometric testing refers to the phenomenon where a sound presented to one ear is heard in the opposite ear due to the way sound travels through the skull. This is particularly relevant in hearing assessments, where sounds of sufficient intensity can stimulate the cochlea of the non-testing ear, leading to an inaccurate representation of the individual's hearing abilities. When testing hearing thresholds, it’s crucial to consider crossover because sounds emitted into one ear might cross over to the other side, altering the results. This aspect is especially important in determining the type and degree of hearing loss a patient may have when conductive or sensorineural issues are present. The other choices address different concepts unrelated to the crossover phenomenon. For instance, the inability to hear sounds in one ear pertains more to unilateral hearing loss, and the comparison of air versus bone conduction relates to assessing the type of hearing loss. The measurement of background noise is also a concept relevant to the clarity and validity of the testing environment, but it does not relate directly to the acoustic phenomenon of crossover.