True or False: BC thresholds cannot be worse than AC thresholds due to inner ear function.

The statement that BC (bone conduction) thresholds cannot be worse than AC (air conduction) thresholds is based on the understanding of how sound is transmitted through the auditory system. Bone conduction assesses the function of the inner ear, specifically the cochlea, by bypassing the outer and middle ear. It directly stimulates the cochlea and provides information about the sensory cells' ability to perceive sound.

In normal hearing or sensorineural hearing loss, bone conduction thresholds should be equal to or better than air conduction thresholds. If AC thresholds were worse than BC thresholds, it would indicate a conductive hearing loss, which suggests problems in the outer or middle ear rather than the inner ear itself. However, in the case of pure sensorineural hearing loss, both AC and BC thresholds may be elevated, but BC will not exceed AC.

This principle is critical in audiometry, where understanding the relationship between BC and AC thresholds helps in diagnosing types of hearing loss and understanding the functional status of the auditory system. The other options, such as age or testing environment, do not typically influence the fundamental relationship between BC and AC thresholds established by the underlying physiology of the ear.