Hearing loss Health Article

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained, and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting hearing loss in detail may include:

• Is the hearing loss in both ears or one ear?
• Is the hearing loss mild or severe?
• Is all of the hearing lost (inability to hear any sound)?
• Is there decreased hearing acuity (do words sound garbled)?
• Is there decreased ability to understand speech?
• Is there decreased ability to locate the source of a sound?
• How long has the hearing loss been present?
• Did it occur before age 30?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there tinnitus (ringing or other sounds)?
• Is there ear pain?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Audiometry (an electronic hearing test )
• Auditory response test
• CT scan of the head (if a tumor or fracture is suspected)
• X-ray of the head
• Tympanometry
• Caloric test
• MRI of the ear (see MRI of the head)

A hearing aid or cochlear implant may be provided to improve hearing.

References

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:443-444.