International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What denotes an air-bone gap?

1. A difference of 10dB or less between air and bone conduction

2. A difference of 15dB or greater between air and bone conduction

3. The absence of hearing in one ear

4. A threshold that is within normal range

The correct answer is: A difference of 15dB or greater between air and bone conduction

An air-bone gap denotes a difference of 15 dB or greater between air conduction and bone conduction thresholds in hearing assessments. This measurement helps to identify the type of hearing loss present. When the air conduction threshold is significantly poorer than the bone conduction threshold, it suggests that there may be an issue with the outer or middle ear, as bone conduction bypasses these structures and tests the inner ear and auditory pathways directly. When there is a gap of 15 dB or more, it typically indicates that sound is not being conducted effectively through the air, which could be due to conditions such as earwax blockage, fluid in the middle ear, or other conductive hearing loss pathologies. This finding is crucial for audiologists in determining the appropriate treatment or intervention needed for a patient experiencing hearing loss. In contrast, a difference of 10 dB or less would not signify such a gap or significant impairment, while simply lacking hearing in one ear or having a threshold within the normal range does not appropriately define the air-bone gap. The context of these other options helps clarify the clinical relevance of identifying an air-bone gap in hearing assessments.