23. If test subject hears better with tuning fork against the mastoid, what does that mean? Explain.
Added by Bryan E.
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Step 1: Explain what placing a vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid tests — it measures bone conduction (BC), because vibrations pass through the skull directly to the cochlea, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Show more…
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A 54-year-old woman visited her doctor complaining of progressive hearing loss in her left ear. The doctor performed an otoscopic examination which showed no abnormalities and no wax buildup. In the following examination, the doctor struck a tuning fork and placed the stem of the tuning fork on the mastoid process of the patient's left temporal bone. The patient immediately stated that she could hear the tuning fork really well in both ears. After a moment or so, the patient noted that the tone had nearly died out. The physician then moved the tuning fork approximately two centimeters away from the same ear and the patient was unable to hear anything. The doctor explained that while someone with normal hearing will hear a vibrating fork when it is held against the mastoid process, the person will hear it better when it is held just outside the external acoustic canal. Describe how sound is perceived, starting with the soundwave entering the external auditory canal. 2) What components of the patient's hearing mechanism were bypassed when the handle of the tuning fork was placed on her mastoid process? 3) Describe the type of hearing problem this patient has. Is it a conduction problem or a perception problem?
Supreeta N.
A 54-year-old woman visited her doctor complaining of progressive hearing loss in her left ear. The doctor performed an otoscopic examination which showed no abnormalities and no wax buildup. In the following examination, the doctor struck a tuning fork and placed the stem of the tuning fork on the mastoid process of the patient's left temporal bone. The patient immediately stated that she could hear the tuning fork really well in both ears. After a moment or so, the patient noted that the tone had nearly died out. The physician then moved the tuning fork approximately two centimeters away from the same ear and the patient was unable to hear anything. The doctor explained that while someone with normal hearing will hear a vibrating fork when it is held against the mastoid process, the person will hear it better when it is held just outside the external acoustic canal. 1. Describe how sound is perceived, starting with the sound wave entering the external auditory canal. 2. What components of the patient's hearing mechanism were bypassed when the handle of the tuning fork was placed on her mastoid process? 3. Describe the type of hearing problem this patient has. Is it a conduction problem or a perception problem?
Adi S.
Breanna O.
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