Ear and audiology: auditory brainstem implant: 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: auditory brainstem implant

Sample item

A 24-year-old patient with neurofibromatosis type 2 has had both vestibular schwannomas removed with section of both cochlear nerves, leaving profound deafness. Which device may restore sound awareness?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Auditory brainstem implant

An auditory brainstem implant places electrodes on the cochlear nucleus in the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle. It is used when the cochlear nerve is absent or severed. A cochlear implant needs an intact cochlear nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Auditory brainstem implant (correct)

    Correct. It bypasses the cochlea and nerve and stimulates the cochlear nucleus.

  • B. Bone anchored hearing aid

    A BAHA works for conductive or single-sided loss with a functioning cochlea.

  • C. Middle ear implant

    A middle ear implant needs a functioning cochlea and nerve.

  • D. Cochlear implant

    A cochlear implant requires an intact cochlear nerve.

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 A, Auditory brainstem implant. An auditory brainstem implant places electrodes on the cochlear nucleus in the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle.

Why is "Bone anchored hearing aid" not the answer?

A BAHA works for conductive or single-sided loss with a functioning cochlea.

Why is "Middle ear implant" not the answer?

A middle ear implant needs a functioning cochlea and nerve.

Why is "Cochlear implant" not the answer?

A cochlear implant requires an intact cochlear nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: auditory brainstem implant in ENT. It is used when the cochlear nerve is absent or severed. A cochlear implant needs an intact cochlear nerve.

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: auditory brainstem implant?

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.