title: Hearing loss.
abstract: Hearing loss is one of the most common sensory impairments and affects almost 10% of the adult population. The percentage of adults with hearing loss markedly increases with advancing age. The differential diagnosis for patients presenting with hearing loss is extensive, but can often be narrowed with a directed hearing history and physical examination. The severity of the hearing loss may warrant additional diagnostic studies, including audiometry, and possible imaging in selected cases. Hearing aids, assistive listening devices, middle ear surgery, and cochlear implantation are potential therapeutic options available to patients depending on the type and severity of the hearing loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, UT - Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9035, USA. brandon.isaacson@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Isaacson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004423:Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged