MEDizzy - An 89-year-old man has noticed that his hearing has

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Combined Neurology X

An 89-year-old man has noticed that his hearing has gradually worsened with aging. The examining physician applies a vibrating tuning fork to his right mastoid process. The moment the sound can no longer be heard, the fork is held near the auditory meatus and the patient can again hear it. His deafness has probably developed because of which of the following?

ExplanationC. This is a normal Rinne test indicating that middle ear deafness is not present. Presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss in the elderly. High frequency perception is impaired in this disorder because of sensorineural damage. The neurons most likely affected in this degenerative disorder are the spiral ganglion neurons of the cochlea.