A tuning fork is placed against the forehead of a patient. The sound is loudest in the left ear. What can you determine about the patient’s hearing? What is happening in the left ear and the right ear? Begin your Internet search with the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Also, search for deafness, hearing, and cochlea.

Urgently answer please

PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss Sequaelae of pneumococcal meningitis POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss Sequaelae of pneumococcal meningitis NAME OF PROCEDURE: Bilateral cochlear implantation with Advanced Bionics HiRes 90K multi-channel device INTRAOPERATIVE FINDINGS: Normal mastoid anatomy bilaterally with facial nerve present along anticipated course and round windows were calcified bilaterally. INDICATIONS: The patient is a 9-month-old male who was previously hospitalized with pneumococcal meningitis three months ago. Subsequent auditory brainstem response testing on multiple occasions revealed bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, with normal middle ear functioning. Hearing aid trials were without significant benefit. After a discussion of the risks, benefits and alternatives, the patient was consented to for insertion of an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant device.

Discuss the somewhat surprising outcome of research on hearing loss in urban versus rural environments, and the physiological explanation behind it. Please include references.