Question

A client reports buzzing in the ear for the past 5 days and a decreased ability to hear sounds. after interacting with the client, the nurse finds that the client is receiving long-term aminoglycoside therapy. which cranial nerve should the nurse suspect to be affected?

Answer 1

The cranial nerve that controls a person's ability to hear is CN VIII or the vestibulocochlear nerve. When the vestibulocochlear nerve is damaged, a patient may hear buzzing sounds, or more commonly known as tinnitus, or they might experience reduced hearing ability. CN VIII damage may also affect a person's balance and cause dizziness when the cochlea in the ear is damaged.