Hearing rehabilitation: bone conduction device: 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 rehabilitation: bone conduction device

Sample item

A 10-year-old has bilateral congenital aural atresia with normal cochlear function. Which device gives best rehabilitation before surgery?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Bone conduction hearing device on a softband

In canal atresia sound cannot reach the middle ear, so a bone conduction device that vibrates the skull and stimulates the healthy cochlea directly is used. A softband is used in young children until an implanted device is possible. Cochlear and brainstem implants are for sensorineural loss.

Option by option

  • A. Bone conduction hearing device on a softband (correct)

    Correct. Bone conduction bypasses the atretic canal to reach a normal cochlea.

  • B. Cochlear implant

    Cochlear implants are for profound sensorineural loss.

  • C. Conventional behind-the-ear air conduction aid

    An air conduction aid needs a patent canal.

  • D. Auditory brainstem implant

    Brainstem implants are for absent cochlear nerves.

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, Bone conduction hearing device on a softband. In canal atresia sound cannot reach the middle ear, so a bone conduction device that vibrates the skull and stimulates the healthy cochlea directly is used.

Why is "Cochlear implant" not the answer?

Cochlear implants are for profound sensorineural loss.

Why is "Conventional behind-the-ear air conduction aid" not the answer?

An air conduction aid needs a patent canal.

Why is "Auditory brainstem implant" not the answer?

Brainstem implants are for absent cochlear nerves.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hearing rehabilitation: bone conduction device in ENT. A softband is used in young children until an implanted device is possible. Cochlear and brainstem implants are for sensorineural loss.

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 Hearing rehabilitation: bone conduction device?

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.