Hearing assessment: 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 · Hearing assessment

Sample item

When unilateral sound-conduction impairment is present, how is the Weber tuning-fork test usually perceived?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Toward the side of the conductive deficit

In unilateral conductive hearing loss, bone-conducted sound is perceived louder in the affected ear, so Weber lateralizes to that side; sensorineural loss usually lateralizes away from the affected side.

Option by option

  • A. Toward the side of the conductive deficit (correct)

    Correct: Weber lateralizes toward the side with conductive loss.

  • B. Toward the unaffected side in every case

    Lateralization to the opposite side is typical of unilateral sensorineural loss.

  • C. Not heard because Weber cannot assess asymmetry

    The test can provide useful asymmetry information.

  • D. Strictly in the midline regardless of asymmetry

    Weber can lateralize and is clinically useful when interpreted with Rinne.

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, Toward the side of the conductive deficit. In unilateral conductive hearing loss, bone-conducted sound is perceived louder in the affected ear, so Weber lateralizes to that side; sensorineural loss usually lateralizes away from the affected side.

Why is "Toward the unaffected side in every case" not the answer?

Lateralization to the opposite side is typical of unilateral sensorineural loss.

Why is "Not heard because Weber cannot assess asymmetry" not the answer?

The test can provide useful asymmetry information.

Why is "Strictly in the midline regardless of asymmetry" not the answer?

Weber can lateralize and is clinically useful when interpreted with Rinne.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hearing assessment in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: Weber lateralizes toward the side with conductive loss.

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 Hearing assessment?

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.