Audiology: BERA waves: 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 · Audiology: BERA waves

Sample item

In brainstem evoked response audiometry, wave I is generated by which structure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Distal part of the cochlear nerve

Wave I arises from the distal cochlear nerve, wave II from the proximal nerve or cochlear nucleus, wave III from the superior olivary complex, wave IV from the lateral lemniscus and wave V from the inferior colliculus. Wave V is the most robust and used for threshold estimation.

Option by option

  • A. Distal part of the cochlear nerve (correct)

    Correct. Wave I reflects the distal eighth nerve.

  • B. Superior olivary complex

    The superior olivary complex generates wave III.

  • C. Cochlear nucleus

    The cochlear nucleus is the usual source of wave II.

  • D. Inferior colliculus

    The inferior colliculus generates wave V.

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 A, Distal part of the cochlear nerve. Wave I arises from the distal cochlear nerve, wave II from the proximal nerve or cochlear nucleus, wave III from the superior olivary complex, wave IV from the lateral lemniscus and wave V from the inferior colliculus.

Why is "Superior olivary complex" not the answer?

The superior olivary complex generates wave III.

Why is "Cochlear nucleus" not the answer?

The cochlear nucleus is the usual source of wave II.

Why is "Inferior colliculus" not the answer?

The inferior colliculus generates wave V.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology: BERA waves in ENT. Wave V is the most robust and used for threshold estimation.

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 Audiology: BERA waves?

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.