Ear and audiology: audiogram of mixed loss: 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: audiogram of mixed loss

Sample item

An audiogram shows an air conduction threshold of 70 dB and a bone conduction threshold of 40 dB in the same ear at the same frequencies. How is this loss classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mixed hearing loss

A raised bone conduction threshold shows a sensorineural component, and the gap between air and bone shows a conductive component of 30 dB. Together this is a mixed loss, as seen in advanced otosclerosis or chronic otitis media with cochlear damage.

Option by option

  • A. Mixed hearing loss (correct)

    Correct. Both elevated bone thresholds and an air-bone gap are present.

  • B. Pure conductive hearing loss

    Pure conductive loss has normal bone conduction.

  • C. Normal hearing

    Thresholds of 40 and 70 dB are not normal.

  • D. Pure sensorineural hearing loss

    Pure sensorineural loss has no air-bone gap.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Mixed hearing loss. A raised bone conduction threshold shows a sensorineural component, and the gap between air and bone shows a conductive component of 30 dB.

Why is "Pure conductive hearing loss" not the answer?

Pure conductive loss has normal bone conduction.

Why is "Normal hearing" not the answer?

Thresholds of 40 and 70 dB are not normal.

Why is "Pure sensorineural hearing loss" not the answer?

Pure sensorineural loss has no air-bone gap.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: audiogram of mixed loss in ENT. Together this is a mixed loss, as seen in advanced otosclerosis or chronic otitis media with cochlear damage.

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: audiogram of mixed loss?

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.