A 30-year-old woman with otosclerosis undergoes pure tone audiometry. Which of the following characteristic findings is typically observed on the bone conduction curve in this condition?
- A A notch at 1000 Hz
- B A notch at 2000 Hz ✓
- C A notch at 4000 Hz
- D A flat curve with an air-bone gap
Correct answer: B. A notch at 2000 Hz
Explanation
Carhart's notch is a dip in bone conduction at 2000 Hz seen in otosclerosis, caused by disruption of the natural resonance of the ossicular chain. It is an artifact and not a true sensorineural loss, often disappearing after successful stapedectomy. A 4000 Hz notch is characteristic of noise-induced hearing loss. A flat curve with an air-bone gap describes the overall conductive loss but misses the specific bone conduction finding.
Reference: Dhingra and Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.