Ear and audiology: decibel scale: 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: decibel scale

Sample item

On the decibel scale, a rise of 20 dB corresponds to what change in sound pressure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ten-fold increase

The decibel scale is logarithmic: dB equals 20 times the log of the pressure ratio. Every 20 dB therefore means a tenfold rise in sound pressure, and 6 dB roughly doubles it. Conversational speech is about 60 dB and a jet engine near 140 dB.

Option by option

  • A. Twenty-fold increase

    The scale is not linear.

  • B. Ten-fold increase (correct)

    Correct. 20 dB equals a tenfold pressure rise.

  • C. Two-fold increase

    A twofold pressure rise is about 6 dB.

  • D. Hundred-fold increase

    A hundredfold pressure rise is 40 dB.

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 B, Ten-fold increase. The decibel scale is logarithmic: dB equals 20 times the log of the pressure ratio.

Why is "Twenty-fold increase" not the answer?

The scale is not linear.

Why is "Two-fold increase" not the answer?

A twofold pressure rise is about 6 dB.

Why is "Hundred-fold increase" not the answer?

A hundredfold pressure rise is 40 dB.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: decibel scale in ENT. Every 20 dB therefore means a tenfold rise in sound pressure, and 6 dB roughly doubles it. Conversational speech is about 60 dB and a jet engine near 140 dB.

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: decibel scale?

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.