Question

TRUE/FALSE. A 47-year-old patient has worked for 20 years on road construction. The patient is being seen in the clinic for hearing loss. The medication list includes ibuprofen for muscle aches which is used occasionally as needed. The nurse suspects that the hearing loss is conductive.

Answer 1

False. Based on the information provided, it is more likely that the hearing loss is sensorineural rather than conductive. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, and it is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. Exposure to loud noise, such as working on road construction, is a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. In contrast, conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear, such as a blockage or damage to the eardrum. While ibuprofen is not typically associated with hearing loss, long-term exposure to loud noise can increase the risk of hearing loss.