Ear and audiology: Metz recruitment 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.

Try it

ENT · Ear and audiology: Metz recruitment test

Sample item

In a patient with unilateral sensorineural loss of 60 dB, the stapedial reflex appears at only 50 dB above the hearing threshold at the same frequency. What does this finding suggest?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Cochlear lesion with recruitment

Normally the reflex threshold is about 70 to 100 dB above the hearing threshold. If the gap is smaller than about 60 dB, the reflex is elicited at a lower sensation level, which is the Metz test sign of recruitment. Recruitment is a hallmark of cochlear hair cell lesions.

Option by option

  • A. Conductive loss

    A conductive loss typically abolishes the reflex.

  • B. Cochlear lesion with recruitment (correct)

    Correct. A narrow gap suggests recruitment in cochlear disease.

  • C. Non-organic loss

    Non-organic loss shows reflex thresholds below the voluntary thresholds but would not be inferred from a small gap alone.

  • D. Retrocochlear lesion

    Retrocochlear lesions show absent or decaying reflexes without recruitment.

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 B, Cochlear lesion with recruitment. Normally the reflex threshold is about 70 to 100 dB above the hearing threshold.

Why is "Conductive loss" not the answer?

A conductive loss typically abolishes the reflex.

Why is "Non-organic loss" not the answer?

Non-organic loss shows reflex thresholds below the voluntary thresholds but would not be inferred from a small gap alone.

Why is "Retrocochlear lesion" not the answer?

Retrocochlear lesions show absent or decaying reflexes without recruitment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: Metz recruitment test in ENT. If the gap is smaller than about 60 dB, the reflex is elicited at a lower sensation level, which is the Metz test sign of recruitment. Recruitment is a hallmark of cochlear hair cell lesions.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Metz recruitment 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.