Audiology: tympanometry patterns: 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: tympanometry patterns

Sample item

A young man has a conductive hearing loss after head injury, an intact and normal-looking drum, and a tympanogram with very high peak compliance. What is the likely cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ossicular chain discontinuity

A type Ad curve with abnormally high compliance indicates a hypermobile drum, usually from ossicular disruption. Otosclerosis gives a stiff system (type As), and effusion gives a flat type B curve. Eustachian obstruction gives a negative-pressure type C curve.

Option by option

  • A. Ossicular chain discontinuity (correct)

    Correct. Type Ad with an intact drum and conductive loss suggests ossicular discontinuity.

  • B. Otitis media with effusion

    Effusion gives a flat type B tympanogram.

  • C. Otosclerosis

    Otosclerosis gives low compliance (type As).

  • D. Eustachian tube obstruction

    Tubal obstruction gives a peak shifted to negative pressure.

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.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Ossicular chain discontinuity. A type Ad curve with abnormally high compliance indicates a hypermobile drum, usually from ossicular disruption.

Why is "Otitis media with effusion" not the answer?

Effusion gives a flat type B tympanogram.

Why is "Otosclerosis" not the answer?

Otosclerosis gives low compliance (type As).

Why is "Eustachian tube obstruction" not the answer?

Tubal obstruction gives a peak shifted to negative pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology: tympanometry patterns in ENT. Otosclerosis gives a stiff system (type As), and effusion gives a flat type B curve. Eustachian obstruction gives a negative-pressure type C curve.

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: tympanometry patterns?

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.