In the context of the Stenger test, what is the key feature of the auditory signal presented?

The key feature of the auditory signal presented in the Stenger test is the use of different intensities of the same frequency in both ears. This test is particularly useful for identifying unilateral hearing loss and determining whether a patient is feigning hearing loss.

In the Stenger test, a tone of a specific frequency is presented at a certain intensity level to one ear while a weaker version of that same tone is presented to the other ear. According to the Stenger principle, if an individual has hearing loss in one ear and perceives the sound presented to the better ear, they will only hear the louder sound and will not respond to the softer sound in the affected ear. This characteristic allows clinicians to assess the reliability of a patient’s hearing responses, especially in cases where non-organic hearing loss is suspected.

The other choices do not align with the fundamental principles of the Stenger test. Presenting sounds of the same intensity in both ears would not help differentiate between normal hearing and hearing loss. Different frequencies would not create the necessary conditions for the test as it specifically requires the same frequency to effectively gauge response to the intensity disparity. A continuous tone in one ear without the comparative intensity in the other would also not serve the purpose of the test, which relies