Hearing Loss Ear Health 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which three tiny bones in the middle ear amplify sound vibrations?
- Malleus, incus, and stapes (Correct answer)
- Femur, tibia, and fibula
- Cochlea, pinna, and tragus
- Anvil, hammer, and cochlea
Correct answer: Malleus, incus, and stapes
The malleus, incus, and stapes (hammer, anvil, stirrup) transmit and amplify vibrations to the inner ear.
Question 2: Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to:
- The inner ear or auditory nerve (Correct answer)
- The outer ear only
- The eardrum membrane
- Earwax glands
Correct answer: The inner ear or auditory nerve
Sensorineural loss results from damage to the cochlea's hair cells or the auditory nerve pathway.
Question 3: Conductive hearing loss most often involves a problem in the:
- Outer or middle ear (Correct answer)
- Auditory cortex of the brain
- Inner ear hair cells
- Optic nerve
Correct answer: Outer or middle ear
Conductive loss occurs when sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer or middle ear, such as from fluid or wax.
Question 4: Which everyday habit best protects against noise-induced hearing loss?
- Wearing earplugs at loud venues (Correct answer)
- Cleaning ears daily with swabs
- Listening to music at maximum volume
- Avoiding all hearing tests
Correct answer: Wearing earplugs at loud venues
Using earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments reduces the sound energy reaching the cochlea.
Question 5: A sudden, painless loss of hearing in one ear should be treated as:
- A medical emergency needing prompt care (Correct answer)
- A normal sign of aging
- Something to ignore for months
- A reason to use more cotton swabs
Correct answer: A medical emergency needing prompt care
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss can sometimes be reversed if treated quickly, so it warrants urgent evaluation.
Question 6: Which vitamin or mineral deficiency is most associated with reduced inner-ear blood flow and hearing problems?
- Folate or B12 deficiency (Correct answer)
- Excess vitamin C
- High sodium only
- Vitamin D toxicity
Correct answer: Folate or B12 deficiency
Low folate and B12 levels have been linked to poorer circulation and increased risk of hearing decline.
Question 7: What is the recommended approach for safely removing excess earwax at home?
- Use over-the-counter softening drops (Correct answer)
- Use a sharp object to scrape it
- Insert a lit candle (ear candling)
- Pour boiling water into the ear
Correct answer: Use over-the-counter softening drops
Softening drops loosen wax gently, while sharp objects and ear candling can injure the canal or eardrum.
Hearing Loss Ear Health 3
Which three tiny bones in the middle ear amplify sound vibrations?