Hearing Loss Ear Health 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which part of the ear converts sound vibrations into electrical nerve signals?
- The cochlea (Correct answer)
- The eardrum
- The pinna
- The eustachian tube
Correct answer: The cochlea
The cochlea contains hair cells that transform fluid vibrations into nerve impulses sent to the brain.
Question 2: What is the most common preventable cause of permanent hearing loss worldwide?
- Loud noise exposure (Correct answer)
- Earwax buildup
- Cold weather
- Reading in dim light
Correct answer: Loud noise exposure
Prolonged or intense noise damages the delicate hair cells of the cochlea, which do not regenerate.
Question 3: Which of the following is a sign that earwax may be impacted?
- A feeling of fullness and muffled hearing (Correct answer)
- Sharp vision changes
- Increased appetite
- Faster heartbeat
Correct answer: A feeling of fullness and muffled hearing
Impacted earwax can block the canal, causing a plugged sensation, muffled hearing, and sometimes mild discomfort.
Question 4: What does the term 'tinnitus' refer to?
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (Correct answer)
- Loss of balance only
- Inflammation of the throat
- A type of hearing aid
Correct answer: Ringing or buzzing in the ears
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing or buzzing, without an external source.
Question 5: Inserting cotton swabs deep into the ear canal is discouraged mainly because it can:
- Push wax deeper and damage the eardrum (Correct answer)
- Improve hearing instantly
- Strengthen the eardrum
- Clean the cochlea directly
Correct answer: Push wax deeper and damage the eardrum
Cotton swabs often pack wax further in and risk perforating the eardrum or scratching the canal.
Question 6: Which structure helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the throat?
- The eustachian tube (Correct answer)
- The cochlea
- The ossicles
- The auditory nerve
Correct answer: The eustachian tube
The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat and balances air pressure.
Question 7: At roughly what sound level (in decibels) can prolonged exposure begin to damage hearing?
- 85 dB and above (Correct answer)
- 30 dB and above
- 10 dB and above
- 200 dB only
Correct answer: 85 dB and above
Sustained exposure to sounds at or above about 85 decibels can gradually harm the inner ear.
Hearing Loss Ear Health 2
Which part of the ear converts sound vibrations into electrical nerve signals?