Hearing assessment: 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 · Hearing assessment

Sample item

What Rinne test result is expected in a normal ear?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Air conduction is greater than bone conduction

In normal hearing and most sensorineural losses, air conduction exceeds bone conduction because the external and middle ear efficiently transmit sound; a reversed Rinne suggests conductive loss.

Option by option

  • A. No sound is heard by either route

    Complete absence of both routes requires a different assessment.

  • B. Only bone conduction is present

    Normal ears use both pathways, with air conduction predominating.

  • C. Air conduction is greater than bone conduction (correct)

    Correct: normal Rinne is positive with air conduction louder or longer than bone conduction.

  • D. Bone conduction is greater than air conduction

    Bone conduction greater than air conduction suggests conductive impairment.

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, Air conduction is greater than bone conduction. In normal hearing and most sensorineural losses, air conduction exceeds bone conduction because the external and middle ear efficiently transmit sound; a reversed Rinne suggests conductive loss.

Why is "No sound is heard by either route" not the answer?

Complete absence of both routes requires a different assessment.

Why is "Only bone conduction is present" not the answer?

Normal ears use both pathways, with air conduction predominating.

Why is "Bone conduction is greater than air conduction" not the answer?

Bone conduction greater than air conduction suggests conductive impairment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hearing assessment in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: normal Rinne is positive with air conduction louder or longer than bone conduction.

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 Hearing assessment?

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.