Ear and audiology: Schwabach test: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Ear and audiology: Schwabach test

Sample item

In the Schwabach test, a 512 Hz fork is placed on the mastoid of the patient and then of the examiner, who has normal hearing. The patient stops hearing it earlier than the examiner. What is this result called and what is it seen in?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reduced Schwabach, seen in sensorineural hearing loss

The Schwabach test compares bone conduction duration between patient and a normal examiner. It is shortened (reduced) in sensorineural loss and prolonged in conductive loss, because masking by ambient noise is absent in the latter. It is a test of absolute bone conduction.

Option by option

  • A. Normal Schwabach

    A normal result means the two durations are equal.

  • B. Reduced Schwabach, seen in conductive hearing loss

    Conductive loss prolongs, rather than shortens, bone conduction time.

  • C. Prolonged Schwabach, seen in sensorineural hearing loss

    Prolonged Schwabach belongs to conductive loss.

  • D. Reduced Schwabach, seen in sensorineural hearing loss (correct)

    Correct. Shortened bone conduction means sensorineural loss.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Reduced Schwabach, seen in sensorineural hearing loss. The Schwabach test compares bone conduction duration between patient and a normal examiner.

Why is "Normal Schwabach" not the answer?

A normal result means the two durations are equal.

Why is "Reduced Schwabach, seen in conductive hearing loss" not the answer?

Conductive loss prolongs, rather than shortens, bone conduction time.

Why is "Prolonged Schwabach, seen in sensorineural hearing loss" not the answer?

Prolonged Schwabach belongs to conductive loss.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Schwabach test in ENT. It is shortened (reduced) in sensorineural loss and prolonged in conductive loss, because masking by ambient noise is absent in the latter. It is a test of absolute bone conduction.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Ear and audiology: Schwabach test?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.