Auditory and vestibular testing

Question 1

Pathway from external environment to cochlea

Answer 1

Tympanic membrane → MIS → oval window → semi circular canals (spatial orientation of head) → cochlea

Question 2

Which muscle contracts on loud noise

Answer 2

Stapedius

Question 3

3 ossicles

Answer 3

MIS

Question 4

What do scala vestibuli and tympani contain

Answer 4

Perilymph - low K+

Question 5

What does Scala media contain

Answer 5

endolymph - high K+

Question 6

Where are higher frequencies detected

Answer 6

Base

Question 7

Where are lower frequencies detected

Answer 7

Apex

Question 8

What range of hz can human ear hear

Answer 8

20-20,000

Question 9

Posterior artery stroke sx

Answer 9

Vertigo an hearing issues

Question 10

ototoxic drugs

Answer 10

furosemide, vancomycin, gentamicin

Question 11

BPPV

Answer 11

otoliths normally vibrate and change position when you move your head. If otoliths stop working this gives you BPPV sx

Question 12

Conductive hearing loss

Answer 12

Outer/middle ear

infection, wax, fluid

Question 13

Sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 13

Inner ear/brain

Damage to hair cells, nerves

Question 14

otitis media

Answer 14

painful ears and discharge, if worsens then risks tympanic membrane rupturing

Question 15

Head thrust test

Answer 15

• Rule out cervical myelopathy/radiculopathy
• At rest, pt asked to fixate on distant target
• Pt head rotated rapidly from eft to right
• In normal response, eyes remain on target
• In abnormal response, eyes are dragged off target = peripheral vestibular lesion on RHS