Hearing Loss Ear Anatomy and Physiology 5

Question 1

Damage to the cochlear hair cells typically results in which type of hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Sensorineural

Answer

Hair cell or auditory nerve damage causes sensorineural hearing loss, which is usually permanent.

Question 2

A blockage of the ear canal by impacted cerumen causes which type of hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Conductive

Answer

Anything blocking sound transmission through the outer or middle ear produces conductive hearing loss.

Question 3

Why are mammalian cochlear hair cells generally unable to regenerate after loss?

Accepted Answer

They do not divide once mature

Answer

Mature mammalian hair cells are post-mitotic and do not regenerate, making the loss permanent.

Question 4

The tonotopic map of the auditory system means that:

Accepted Answer

Different frequencies activate specific locations

Answer

Tonotopy means specific frequencies map to specific positions along the cochlea and auditory pathway.

Question 5

Prolonged exposure to very loud noise damages hearing primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Destroying stereocilia on hair cells

Answer

Loud noise shears and destroys the stereocilia of hair cells, causing noise-induced hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Practice Test