Vestibular disorders: acoustic neuroma and imbalance: 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 · Vestibular disorders: acoustic neuroma and imbalance

Sample item

A 50-year-old has progressive unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus but only mild unsteadiness, never true vertigo. Why is vertigo uncommon in vestibular schwannoma?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Slow growth allows central compensation

Vestibular schwannomas grow slowly, so the brain compensates for the gradual loss of vestibular input, producing imbalance rather than acute vertigo. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the main complaints.

Option by option

  • A. The tumour spares the vestibular nerve

    The tumour typically arises on the vestibular nerve.

  • B. It destroys the semicircular canals

    Canals are not destroyed by the tumour.

  • C. It arises from the cochlear nerve only

    It arises from the vestibular division, and hearing loss comes from compression of the cochlear nerve.

  • D. Slow growth allows central compensation (correct)

    Correct. Gradual loss allows central compensation.

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, Slow growth allows central compensation. Vestibular schwannomas grow slowly, so the brain compensates for the gradual loss of vestibular input, producing imbalance rather than acute vertigo.

Why is "The tumour spares the vestibular nerve" not the answer?

The tumour typically arises on the vestibular nerve.

Why is "It destroys the semicircular canals" not the answer?

Canals are not destroyed by the tumour.

Why is "It arises from the cochlear nerve only" not the answer?

It arises from the vestibular division, and hearing loss comes from compression of the cochlear nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vestibular disorders: acoustic neuroma and imbalance in ENT. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the main complaints.

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 Vestibular disorders: acoustic neuroma and imbalance?

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.