Audiology: 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 · Audiology

Sample item

In a tuning fork test, Rinne is negative (bone conduction louder than air conduction) in the left ear. What does this indicate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear

Normally air conduction is louder than bone conduction (Rinne positive). A negative Rinne means the conductive pathway is blocked, usually by at least about 15–20 dB of air–bone gap. Weber would lateralise to the affected ear.

Option by option

  • A. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear (correct)

    Correct.

  • B. Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear

    In sensorineural loss Rinne is still positive, because both air and bone conduction are reduced.

  • C. Non-organic hearing loss

    A false negative can occur with a dead ear, but it is not the interpretation here.

  • D. Normal hearing

    Normal hearing gives a positive 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, Conductive hearing loss in the left ear. Normally air conduction is louder than bone conduction (Rinne positive).

Why is "Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear" not the answer?

In sensorineural loss Rinne is still positive, because both air and bone conduction are reduced.

Why is "Non-organic hearing loss" not the answer?

A false negative can occur with a dead ear, but it is not the interpretation here.

Why is "Normal hearing" not the answer?

Normal hearing gives a positive Rinne.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Audiology in ENT. A negative Rinne means the conductive pathway is blocked, usually by at least about 15–20 dB of air–bone gap. Weber would lateralise to the affected ear.

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 Audiology?

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.