Ear and audiology: hearing loss after meningitis: 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 · Ear and audiology: hearing loss after meningitis

Sample item

A 4-year-old recovers from pneumococcal meningitis. Two months later he does not respond to sound, and audiometry shows bilateral profound sensorineural loss. CT shows early ossification in the cochlea. What is the most appropriate next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Prompt cochlear implant assessment, as ossification may progress

Bacterial meningitis can cause labyrinthitis, which may ossify the cochlea within weeks to months and make later electrode insertion difficult or impossible. Hence profound loss after meningitis needs early implant evaluation rather than waiting.

Option by option

  • A. Intratympanic steroid injections

    Intratympanic steroids are used in sudden loss or Meniere disease, not for established post-meningitic loss.

  • B. Observation for a year awaiting spontaneous recovery

    Waiting for spontaneous recovery risks complete ossification that blocks implantation.

  • C. A two-year trial of hearing aids before considering any implant

    A long hearing aid trial is not useful in profound loss and delays implantation while ossification progresses.

  • D. Prompt cochlear implant assessment, as ossification may progress (correct)

    Correct. Cochlear ossification can progress, so implant assessment should be early after meningitic profound loss.

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, Prompt cochlear implant assessment, as ossification may progress. Bacterial meningitis can cause labyrinthitis, which may ossify the cochlea within weeks to months and make later electrode insertion difficult or impossible.

Why is "Intratympanic steroid injections" not the answer?

Intratympanic steroids are used in sudden loss or Meniere disease, not for established post-meningitic loss.

Why is "Observation for a year awaiting spontaneous recovery" not the answer?

Waiting for spontaneous recovery risks complete ossification that blocks implantation.

Why is "A two-year trial of hearing aids before considering any implant" not the answer?

A long hearing aid trial is not useful in profound loss and delays implantation while ossification progresses.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: hearing loss after meningitis in ENT. Hence profound loss after meningitis needs early implant evaluation rather than waiting.

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 Ear and audiology: hearing loss after meningitis?

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.