Special senses: hearing: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Special senses: hearing

Sample item

A factory worker with long-standing noise exposure loses high-frequency hearing first. Which part of the cochlea is most affected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Basal turn near the oval window

The basilar membrane is narrow and stiff at the base and wide and floppy at the apex. High frequencies therefore peak near the base, and low frequencies near the apex. Hair cells of the basal turn are the first to be damaged by loud noise.

Option by option

  • A. Basal turn near the oval window (correct)

    Correct. High-frequency sounds peak at the base, where the hair cells are most vulnerable to noise.

  • B. Maculae of the utricle

    The utricular macula senses linear acceleration and head tilt, not sound.

  • C. Apical turn near the helicotrema

    The apex responds best to low frequencies and is affected later.

  • D. Reissner's membrane

    Reissner's membrane separates the scala vestibuli from the cochlear duct and does not transduce sound.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Basal turn near the oval window. The basilar membrane is narrow and stiff at the base and wide and floppy at the apex.

Why is "Maculae of the utricle" not the answer?

The utricular macula senses linear acceleration and head tilt, not sound.

Why is "Apical turn near the helicotrema" not the answer?

The apex responds best to low frequencies and is affected later.

Why is "Reissner's membrane" not the answer?

Reissner's membrane separates the scala vestibuli from the cochlear duct and does not transduce sound.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Special senses: hearing in Physiology. High frequencies therefore peak near the base, and low frequencies near the apex. Hair cells of the basal turn are the first to be damaged by loud noise.

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 Special senses: hearing?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.