Hearing loss. The physician's responsibility.

Hearing loss is a very important and common problem in the United States, affecting 13 to 14 million people. It is primarily a medical problem, requiring diagnosis and, when indicated, treatment by a physician, preferably in collaboration with an audiologist. History taking is the most important part of the diagnostic process, followed by a physical examination with special attention to the head, neck, and ears. The primary object of the workup is to exclude all possible extrinsic causes of hearing loss. Intrinsic or genetic deafness is a diagnosis of exclusion. After the hearing loss has been classified as congenital or delayed and as genetic or nongenetic, a differential or working diagnosis can be made in all cases and a specific diagnosis in most cases. The hearing loss must then be identified as stable, progressive, or fluctuant over time. Follow-up at least every two years is important to check for possible changes in status.