Can You Hear Me? Trivia Quiz

Answer: otologist

An otologist deals with medical problems relating to the ear, from the testing and treatment of patients with hearing loss to performing complex surgical procedures. An orthodontist specialises in one of the branches of dentistry, an oncologist is a cancer specialist and an ophthalmologist deals with troubles associated with the eyes.

The study of the ear is called otology and the adjective 'otic' means pertaining to the ear; the word is of Greek origin.

Answer: Vulcan

Half-human, half-Vulcan, Mr Spock's adventures and experiences on board the starship Enterprise are legendary. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the first series of 'Star Trek' was broadcast in 1966 on NBC, with Leonard Nimoy in the role of Spock, a role he played until 1969, and also subsequently repeated in 'Star Trek' films and some later television episodes. Utterly logical and seemingly non-emotional, Spock remains one of the best-loved science fiction characters of all time. 'Star Trek' also boasts one of the best-known split infinitives in 'to boldly go where no man has gone before', a phrase which has been the subject of much light-hearted parody over the years. Krypton and Gallifrey are the home planets of Superman and Dr Who respectively, while Ganymede is Jupiter's largest moon and also the largest moon in the Solar System.

Answer: trumpet

Technology has brought huge advances in the wide range of hearing aids available and such progress is ongoing, with many different types available from which to choose. In the UK, behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids are supplied by the NHS free of charge; however, these are on a 'loan' basis and many people prefer to purchase their own when possible. Costs can vary enormously though, and this can be a major, sometimes prohibitive, expense.

Answer: Britney Spears

'Santa Can You Hear Me?' by Britney Spears was originally released as the opening track on this compilation album from Jive Records, which featured sixteen tracks by different artistes. Since its debut in 2000 it has also been showcased in several other seasonal compilation albums.

The song generally received poor reviews, although it fared better in Europe, particularly in Denmark, where it became a popular download which propelled it into the Top 40 in December 2008.

Answer: any good of themselves

Eavesdroppers may well hear or not hear any of the above, but the actual saying is 'eavesdroppers never hear any good of themselves'. This was an old saying aimed at discouraging children from listening to others' conversations, originating from people listening under the eaves of houses in the space known as the 'eavesdrip' or 'eavesdrop'. Nowadays a common theme in many novels and soap operas is the mayhem and unhappiness that can result when characters eavesdrop on one another; indeed, on one British soap in particular an episode can scarcely pass without a character listening in, either on purpose or accidentally!

Answer: Walls

The British Government's Ministry of Information launched a campaign in 1940 called 'Careless Talk Costs Lives'. The campaign comprised the prominent display of propaganda posters on trains and buses reminding the public of the importance of remaining vigilant at all times so as not to be overheard by the enemy, thus compromising national security.

It was suggested and designed by 'Punch' editor and cartoonist Cyril Kenneth Bird, or Fougasse, who gave his services free. There is a growing market for this type of wartime memorabilia and some of these posters are now highly collectable.

Answer: Richard Nixon

Ordered by the Supreme Court, Nixon was subpoenaed to hand over tapes which proved he had had full knowledge of the break-in at the Watergate complex in June 1972 and had ordered the subsequent cover up. He resigned as President on 9 August 1974 and was succeeded by Gerald Ford, who granted a full pardon to Nixon a month later.

Answer: Timothy

His mother loses her temper when Dumbo is teased because of his ears, and is locked up as a result. Dumbo could have been all alone in the world; instead, Timothy Q Mouse feels sorry for him and decides to look after him. He identifies Dumbo's ability to fly and, recognising his potential, encourages him.

This ultimately leads to the little elephant becoming the star of the circus and being happily reunited with his mother. The 'pink elephants' sequence after Dumbo and Timothy have unknowingly drunk champagne is one of Disney's most delightful scenes.

The film was released in 1941 and was a welcome and much-needed boost to the studio's finances.

Answer: stirrup

There are three bones of the inner ear. Their Latin names are the malleus, incus and stapes, which translate into hammer, anvil and stirrup respectively. These tiny bones, collectively called ossicles, work together to perform the complex task of transferring sound from its source to the inner ear via vibrations of the eardrum.

Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven is still revered as one of the most influential composers the world has ever known. He was born in Bonn, Germany, in December 1770, his birth estimated to have taken place on 16th of that month, and died on 26 March 1827 following a long illness, the cause of which remains uncertain.

He showed enormous courage in dealing with his hearing loss and was still composing and performing music even when total deafness had overtaken him.