Ear and audiology: when to mask: 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: when to mask

Sample item

During pure tone audiometry, the air conduction threshold in the test ear exceeds that in the opposite ear by 50 dB. Why must the non-test ear be masked?

ATo prevent middle ear muscle reflexBThe difference exceeds interaural attenuation, so the tone may be heard by the better earCTo abolish ambient noiseDThe tone is too faint

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. The difference exceeds interaural attenuation, so the tone may be heard by the better ear

Sound reaching the test ear can cross the skull and stimulate the opposite cochlea if the level exceeds the interaural attenuation, which is at least about 40 dB for air conduction. Masking noise in the non-test ear prevents this cross hearing and gives a true threshold.

Option by option

A. To prevent middle ear muscle reflex
Masking is unrelated to the stapedial reflex.
B. The difference exceeds interaural attenuation, so the tone may be heard by the better ear (correct)
Correct. A difference above interaural attenuation risks cross hearing.
C. To abolish ambient noise
Noise masking is not for ambient room noise.
D. The tone is too faint
Masking does not increase the faintness of the tone.

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.

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, The difference exceeds interaural attenuation, so the tone may be heard by the better ear. Sound reaching the test ear can cross the skull and stimulate the opposite cochlea if the level exceeds the interaural attenuation, which is at least about 40 dB for air conduction.

Why is "To prevent middle ear muscle reflex" not the answer?

Masking is unrelated to the stapedial reflex.

Why is "To abolish ambient noise" not the answer?

Noise masking is not for ambient room noise.

Why is "The tone is too faint" not the answer?

Masking does not increase the faintness of the tone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: when to mask in ENT. Masking noise in the non-test ear prevents this cross hearing and gives a true threshold.

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: when to mask?

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.