Hearing Loss Hearing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to which structures?
- The inner ear or auditory nerve (Correct answer)
- The eardrum only
- The ear canal
- The outer ear cartilage
Correct answer: The inner ear or auditory nerve
Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the cochlea's hair cells or the auditory nerve pathway.
Question 2: Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass efficiently through which areas?
- The outer or middle ear (Correct answer)
- The auditory cortex
- The cochlea only
- The vestibular system
Correct answer: The outer or middle ear
Conductive loss is caused by blockages or problems in the outer or middle ear that reduce sound transmission.
Question 3: What is the term for hearing loss that involves both conductive and sensorineural components?
- Mixed hearing loss (Correct answer)
- Central hearing loss
- Functional hearing loss
- Unilateral hearing loss
Correct answer: Mixed hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss combines conductive and sensorineural damage in the same ear.
Question 4: Which common condition causes gradual age-related hearing loss?
- Presbycusis (Correct answer)
- Otosclerosis
- Cholesteatoma
- Tinnitus
Correct answer: Presbycusis
Presbycusis is the progressive loss of hearing that develops with aging.
Question 5: A buildup of earwax causing temporary hearing loss is an example of which type?
- Conductive (Correct answer)
- Sensorineural
- Central
- Retrocochlear
Correct answer: Conductive
Earwax blockage physically obstructs sound conduction through the ear canal.
Question 6: Which test uses a tuning fork placed on the forehead to compare hearing between ears?
- Weber test (Correct answer)
- Audiogram
- Tympanometry
- Otoacoustic emission test
Correct answer: Weber test
The Weber test centers a vibrating tuning fork on the head to determine which ear hears it louder.
Question 7: Prolonged exposure to loud noise primarily damages which part of the ear?
- Cochlear hair cells (Correct answer)
- The eardrum
- The ear canal
- The eustachian tube
Correct answer: Cochlear hair cells
Loud noise damages the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, causing sensorineural loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to which structures?