ETS Domain: Treatment

Praxis 5331 Cochlear Implant Questions

Cochlear implant (CI) items on the Praxis 5331 test whether you understand the device, candidacy, and the SLP's role across the lifespan. Expect scenario questions about a toddler newly implanted, a school-age child mainstreaming, or an adult with post-lingual deafness — each targeting a different phase of rehabilitation.

Why this topic matters

CIs are the most common bionic device in SLP scope and appear in both pediatric and adult scenarios.
ETS often tests the SLP-audiologist team boundary — you need to know what an audiologist maps vs what the SLP treats.
Outcomes and expectations questions test whether you can counsel families realistically.

High-yield concepts

Candidacy: severe-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with limited benefit from hearing aids.
Best pediatric outcomes correlate with early implantation (before age 2-3) and consistent device use.
Auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) is a common evidence-based approach for spoken-language outcomes.
Adults with post-lingual deafness usually outperform pre-lingual adults because auditory memory is intact.
The SLP does NOT map the device — that is the audiologist's role. The SLP treats language, listening, and speech.

Sample practice questions

Try answering before revealing the rationale — mark misses to retry later.

Q1.A 3-year-old child received bilateral cochlear implants six months ago and is enrolled in an auditory-verbal program. Which outcome is most realistic to counsel parents about?

A.Fully age-appropriate spoken language within one year
B.Steady gains in listening and spoken language over years of therapy
C.Immediate access to speech at hearing-peer levels
D.No further audiological follow-up needed

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. CI outcomes accrue over years, not months. Realistic counseling emphasizes steady, ongoing gains with consistent device use and therapy. Audiological follow-up remains lifelong.

Q2.During a session, a school-age child with a CI says her sound is 'fuzzy and quiet.' The SLP should first:

A.Adjust the CI map
B.Continue therapy and take notes
C.Refer to the audiologist for a device check and possible re-mapping
D.Recommend the family purchase a new device

Show answer & rationale

Correct: C. Mapping is outside the SLP's scope. Any device concern should be referred to the audiologist for a hardware check and re-mapping if indicated.

Q3.Which candidate is MOST likely to benefit from a cochlear implant?

A.An adult with mild sensorineural loss and open-set word recognition of 80%
B.A child with auditory neuropathy and no measurable benefit from hearing aids
C.An adult with conductive hearing loss due to otosclerosis
D.A child with severe-to-profound sensorineural loss and limited hearing-aid benefit

Show answer & rationale

Correct: D. The classic candidate is bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss with limited hearing-aid benefit. Mild losses are treated with hearing aids; conductive losses are usually surgical.

Common wrong-answer traps

Thinking the SLP maps the device — that is the audiologist's job.
Overpromising 'normal hearing' after implantation.
Confusing conductive with sensorineural loss when choosing candidacy.

Study moves this week

Draw a two-column chart: SLP role vs audiologist role in CI care — refer to it for every practice item.
Memorize the candidacy triad: severe-to-profound, bilateral, limited hearing-aid benefit.
Write a two-sentence counseling script parents could actually understand about realistic outcomes.

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FAQ

Do SLPs program cochlear implants?

No. Programming (mapping) is done by an audiologist. SLPs provide auditory, listening, and spoken-language therapy.

How soon do children with CIs 'catch up' to hearing peers?

It depends on age of implant, consistent device use, and intervention intensity. Many implanted before age 2-3 close the language gap within several years; some take longer or need continued support.

Is auditory-verbal therapy the only option after CI surgery?

No, but AVT is the most-tested approach on the Praxis for spoken-language outcomes. Total communication and other family-driven options remain valid depending on the family's goals.

Praxis 5331 Cochlear Implant Questions

Why this topic matters

High-yield concepts

Sample practice questions

Common wrong-answer traps

Study moves this week

Want 400+ scenario questions with rationales?

FAQ

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