A healthy elderly person is most likely to show decreased auditory acuity for which of the following tones?
High-frequency tones only
Low-frequency tones only
Tones of all frequencies
Tones presented by air but not by bone conduction
Tones presented by bone but not by air conduction
Correct answer
High-frequency tones only
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correct answer: A
Presbycusis, or age-related sensorineural hearing loss, affects a majority of the elderly. Hearing loss is usually symmetrical, and is most prominent in high-frequency tones. Diminished perception of any of the other tones in the list suggests a pathological condition and warrants further work-up.