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Hearing loss

• Overview
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Decreased hearing; Deafness; Loss of hearing

Home Care:

Wax build-up can frequently be flushed out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. Wax softeners (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and impacted.

Care should be taken when removing foreign bodies. Unless it is easy to get to, have your health care provider remove the object. Don't use sharp instruments to remove foreign bodies.

Call your health care provider if:

• Hearing problems are persistent and unexplained
• Hearing problems adversely affect lifestyle
• There is an association with other symptoms such as ear pain

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.

• Review Date: 11/8/2005
• Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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