International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

What type of hearing loss can result from the influence of drugs on the inner ear?

1. Conductive hearing loss

2. Functional hearing loss

3. Ototoxicity

4. Central hearing loss

The correct answer is: Ototoxicity

The correct choice is associated with ototoxicity, which refers to hearing loss that is a direct result of exposure to certain medications, particularly those that can damage the inner ear structures. Ototoxic drugs can lead to various forms of hearing impairment by affecting the sensory cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve pathways. This type of hearing loss can manifest as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or a decrease in the ability to hear high-frequency sounds and can be temporary or permanent depending on the level of exposure to the ototoxic substance and individual susceptibility. In contrast, the other types of hearing loss are not directly related to drug influence on the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss generally involves issues with sound transmission through the outer or middle ear, while functional hearing loss is often associated with psychological factors rather than direct auditory dysfunction. Central hearing loss arises from problems within the brain or central auditory pathways, which are unrelated to the targeted impacts of ototoxic drugs on the inner ear.