Ear and audiology: visual reinforcement audiometry: 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: visual reinforcement audiometry

Sample item

A cooperative 10-month-old infant is to have behavioural hearing assessment in a sound field. Which technique is appropriate at this developmental age?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Visual reinforcement audiometry, where a head turn to sound is rewarded by an animated toy

From about 6 to 18 months, infants learn to turn towards a sound when the turn is rewarded visually, which allows frequency-specific sound field thresholds. Play audiometry suits children of about 2.5 to 5 years. Conventional audiometry needs older, cooperative children.

Option by option

  • A. Conventional pure tone audiometry with headphones

    A child of 10 months cannot give reliable responses to headphones in the standard way.

  • B. Play audiometry with a peg board

    Play audiometry needs the understanding and coordination of a child of about two and a half years or more.

  • C. Visual reinforcement audiometry, where a head turn to sound is rewarded by an animated toy (correct)

    Correct. Head-turn conditioning with a visual reward suits infants of this age.

  • D. Speech discrimination with picture identification

    Picture identification speech tests need established language.

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 C, Visual reinforcement audiometry, where a head turn to sound is rewarded by an animated toy. From about 6 to 18 months, infants learn to turn towards a sound when the turn is rewarded visually, which allows frequency-specific sound field thresholds.

Why is "Conventional pure tone audiometry with headphones" not the answer?

A child of 10 months cannot give reliable responses to headphones in the standard way.

Why is "Play audiometry with a peg board" not the answer?

Play audiometry needs the understanding and coordination of a child of about two and a half years or more.

Why is "Speech discrimination with picture identification" not the answer?

Picture identification speech tests need established language.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: visual reinforcement audiometry in ENT. Play audiometry suits children of about 2.5 to 5 years. Conventional audiometry needs older, cooperative children.

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: visual reinforcement audiometry?

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.