Primary care screening and evaluation of hearing loss

Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Screening, evaluation, treatment and referral in the primary care setting can reduce the degree and adverse effects of the loss. By asking specific health history questions, the clinician can identify risk factors, symptoms and possible causes of hearing loss. Simple behavioral tests, tuning fork tests, audioscopy, audiometry and tympanometry help the clinician determine the presence, type and degree of hearing loss. Some causes of hearing loss can be treated in the primary care setting, but many require special testing, surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Resources for referral include otolaryngologists, audiologists and organizations for the hearing impaired; they can provide further testing, education and support to clients with hearing loss.