Audiology: tone decay: 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.

Try it

ENT · Audiology: tone decay

Sample item

A 45-year-old has progressive unilateral sensorineural loss. The tone decay test shows marked adaptation, with the patient losing a sustained tone within seconds. Which site of lesion is suggested?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Retrocochlear (eighth nerve)

Abnormal auditory adaptation or tone decay is a retrocochlear sign, as in vestibular schwannoma. Cochlear lesions show recruitment instead. Conductive lesions do not cause adaptation.

Option by option

  • A. Eustachian tube

    Tubal dysfunction causes a conductive loss, not adaptation.

  • B. Cochlear hair cells

    Cochlear lesions show recruitment and a high SISI score.

  • C. Middle ear ossicles

    Ossicular lesions cause a conductive loss without tone decay.

  • D. Retrocochlear (eighth nerve) (correct)

    Correct. Marked tone decay points to an eighth nerve lesion.

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 D, Retrocochlear (eighth nerve). Abnormal auditory adaptation or tone decay is a retrocochlear sign, as in vestibular schwannoma.

Why is "Eustachian tube" not the answer?

Tubal dysfunction causes a conductive loss, not adaptation.

Why is "Cochlear hair cells" not the answer?

Cochlear lesions show recruitment and a high SISI score.

Why is "Middle ear ossicles" not the answer?

Ossicular lesions cause a conductive loss without tone decay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology: tone decay in ENT. Cochlear lesions show recruitment instead. Conductive lesions do not cause adaptation.

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 Audiology: tone decay?

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.