A 63-year-old man has become progressively hard of hearing. He’s a retired airplane
mechanic. What kind of hearing loss is this man likely to have?
A. Conductive C. Sensorineural
B. Infectious D. External
With the extremely loud noises that typically occur in such a shop, the cilia in the inner ear are likely to be damaged.
Which answer does this suggest to you?
External
To determine the kind of hearing loss the 63-year-old man is likely to have, we need to understand the different types of hearing loss. There are four main types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, mixed, and central.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the outer or middle ear that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear properly. Examples of conditions that can cause conductive hearing loss include earwax blockage, ear infections, and problems with the eardrum or middle ear bones.
Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, is caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It is the most common type of hearing loss and is often age-related or a result of exposure to loud noises. Factors such as genetics, medications, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to sensorineural hearing loss.
Based on the information given, the 63-year-old man's progressive hearing loss is more likely to be due to his occupation as a retired airplane mechanic. This profession often involves exposure to high levels of noise, which is a known risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, the answer is C. Sensorineural.