Hearing loss can be caused by exposure to very loud noises over a long period of
time, viral or bacterial infections, heart conditions or stroke, head injuries, tumors,
certain medicines, heredity, or changes in the ear that happen with aging.
If you have trouble with your hearing, see your family doctor. In some cases, the
diagnosis and treatment can take place in his or her office. Or you may be referred to an otolaryngologist
(oto-larin-GOL-o-jist). This doctor has special training in the ear,
nose, and throat and other areas related to the head and neck. He or she will take a
medical history, ask if other family members have hearing problems, do a thorough exam,
and order any needed tests.
An audiologist (aw-dee-OL-o-jist) is a health professional who can
identify and measure hearing loss. He or she may work with the otolaryngologist. The
audiologist will use a device called an audiometer to test your ability to hear sounds at
different pitches and loudness. The tests are painless. Audiologists do not prescribe
drugs or perform surgery.
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The information contained in these pages
is for educational / reference use only.
Sources:
National Institutes of Health
