Clinical Audiology: Hearing assessment

A small hole in the tympanic membrane causes hearing loss at ………. .

a). all frequencies

b). high frequencies

c). low frequencies

d). mid frequencies

Correct Answer: c

A small hole in the tympanic membrane acts as a low-pass filter and therefore causes hearing loss at low frequencies. It decreases the force that acts on the tympanic membrane (low-frequency sounds).

A large hole in the tympanic membrane results in flat hearing loss of 40 to 50 dB.