Hearing loss Information on Healthline

Media Gallery

Images (1)

Ear anatomy

Marketplace

Licensed from

Page: < Back 1 2

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.

Page: < Back 1 2

Reviewer Info: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 10/24/2007