Clinical Audiology: Hearing assessment

High-frequency conductive hearing loss can be the result of ………. .

a). collapsed ear canal

b). complete ossicular chain discontinuity

c). otosclerosis

d). superior canal dehiscence syndrome

e). otitis media with effusion

Correct Answer: a

Collapsed ear canal (due to pressure of the earphone on the pinna during audiometry) can display erroneous air-bone gaps at high-frequencies.

Complete ossicular chain discontinuity typically results in flat hearing loss. The hearing loss due to complete ossicular chain discontinuity may exceed 60 dB, especially when the tympanic membrane is intact.

In contrast, partial ossicular chain discontinuity transmits low-frequency sounds more effectively than high-frequency sounds, resulting in conductive hearing loss at high frequencies.