Hearing loss. A plan for individualized management.

Because some cases of hearing loss demand urgent attention, an approach to patients with hearing loss should be adopted in the primary care setting that allows for systematic institution of an individualized and appropriate treatment plan. Workup is enhanced by categorizing the hearing loss as acute or chronic and conductive or sensorineural. The Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests are the most important tools in distinguishing between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The patient history and otologic examination also provide diagnostic clues. Treatment depends on the cause and the type of hearing loss.