Question

Bob suffered some nerve damage to his inner ear because he attended too many loud concerts without ear protection. in particular, a small collection of hair cells that are farthest from the oval window has died. given what you know about the nature of hearing, which of the following is most likely to happen? bob will:____.

a. have great difficulty hearing high frequency sounds but he will have no problem with other frequencies
cross out
b. have great difficulty hearing low frequency sounds but he will have no problem with other frequencies cross out
c. have great difficulty hearing both low and high frequency sounds cross out
d. be completely deaf

Answer 1

Bob will likely have difficulty hearing high frequency sounds due to damage of hair cells located farthest from the oval window, as these cells are typically responsible for detecting high frequency noises and this type of sensorineural hearing loss is permanent.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Bob has experienced nerve damage to his inner ear and lost hair cells that are farthest from the oval window, he will most likely have great difficulty hearing high frequency sounds.

According to the place theory of hearing, higher frequencies vibrate the basilar membrane closer to the oval window where higher frequency hair cells are located.

Since these hair cells are damaged, Bob's hearing loss would predominantly affect high frequency sounds. It's also relevant to note that such damage to the hair cells is permanent, as they do not grow back once they are destroyed.

Hearing loss from damage to the cochlear hair cells falls into the category of sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs in the inner ear when these crucial cells are damaged or lost.

While this type of hearing loss cannot currently be repaired, amplification through hearing aids or cochlear implants can help to partially compensate for the loss by stimulating remaining functional nerves or by directly sending sound vibrations to the cochlea, bypassing the damaged hair cells.