Facial nerve damage is most likely to result in which condition?

Facial nerve damage is most likely to result in hyperacusis. The facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII, has several important functions, one of which includes innervation of the stapedius muscle in the middle ear. This muscle plays a critical role in dampening loud sounds to protect the inner ear from damage and to help with sound modulation.

When there is damage to the facial nerve, the stapedius muscle may become paralyzed, leading to an increased sensitivity to sound, which is known as hyperacusis. This condition occurs because without the normal function of the stapedius muscle, sounds that would typically be cushioned and managed become overly loud and uncomfortable for the individual.

The other options, such as tinnitus, vertigo, or aphasia, are not directly related to facial nerve function. Tinnitus is generally associated with inner ear problems, vertigo is related to balance and inner ear functioning (often involving cranial nerve VIII), and aphasia is a speech-language disorder primarily linked to damage in the areas of the brain responsible for language processing rather than the facial nerve itself. Therefore, hyperacusis is the correct condition resulting from facial nerve damage.