Audiology: mechanism of noise damage: 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: mechanism of noise damage

Sample item

In chronic noise exposure, which structure is damaged earliest?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Outer hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea

Noise first injures the outer hair cells in the basal turn of the organ of Corti, accounting for the high-frequency (4 kHz) loss. Continued exposure later involves inner hair cells and spreads to other frequencies.

Option by option

  • A. Vestibular hair cells

    Vestibular hair cells are relatively spared.

  • B. Inner hair cells in the apical turn

    Apical inner hair cells are affected later, if at all.

  • C. Stria vascularis

    The stria vascularis is affected in age-related strial atrophy.

  • D. Outer hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea (correct)

    Correct. Basal-turn outer hair cells are the most vulnerable.

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 D, Outer hair cells in the basal turn of the cochlea. Noise first injures the outer hair cells in the basal turn of the organ of Corti, accounting for the high-frequency (4 kHz) loss.

Why is "Vestibular hair cells" not the answer?

Vestibular hair cells are relatively spared.

Why is "Inner hair cells in the apical turn" not the answer?

Apical inner hair cells are affected later, if at all.

Why is "Stria vascularis" not the answer?

The stria vascularis is affected in age-related strial atrophy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology: mechanism of noise damage in ENT. Continued exposure later involves inner hair cells and spreads to other frequencies.

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: mechanism of noise damage?

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.