title: The aging ear.
abstract: Otosclerosis begins in the second and third decades of life but usually does not produce a hearing loss until after the fourth decade. Chalky white plaques in the tympanic membrane may be benign, but when associated with hearing loss may point to tympanosclerosis. Presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss. Unilateral hearing loss raises the specter of acoustic neuroma.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D004423:Ear / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000503:physiopathology