Audiology: asymmetrical hearing loss: 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: asymmetrical hearing loss

Sample item

A 50-year-old has progressive unilateral sensorineural hearing loss with tinnitus. What is the best investigation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. MRI of the internal acoustic meatus with gadolinium

Asymmetric sensorineural loss must be investigated to exclude vestibular schwannoma, and contrast MRI of the internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle is the gold standard. Plain X-rays are of little value.

Option by option

  • A. Repeat pure tone audiometry only

    Repeating the audiogram delays diagnosis.

  • B. Electrocochleography

    Electrocochleography is used for Meniere's disease.

  • C. MRI of the internal acoustic meatus with gadolinium (correct)

    Correct. Gadolinium MRI detects schwannoma.

  • D. Plain skull X-ray

    Plain films cannot show small intracanalicular tumours.

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, MRI of the internal acoustic meatus with gadolinium. Asymmetric sensorineural loss must be investigated to exclude vestibular schwannoma, and contrast MRI of the internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle is the gold standard.

Why is "Repeat pure tone audiometry only" not the answer?

Repeating the audiogram delays diagnosis.

Why is "Electrocochleography" not the answer?

Electrocochleography is used for Meniere's disease.

Why is "Plain skull X-ray" not the answer?

Plain films cannot show small intracanalicular tumours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology: asymmetrical hearing loss in ENT. Plain X-rays are of little value.

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: asymmetrical hearing loss?

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.