Hearing loss affects one in six people in the UK and is a significant disease burden. In addition to communication problems, there is also an association with depression and dementia. Clinical assessment with targeted history and examination can identify the characteristics and cause of hearing loss, and complementary audiological testing can confirm its type and severity. Retrocochlear screening is recommended for sudden, rapidly progressive or asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. Medical or surgical therapies may be indicated in cases of conductive hearing loss, while hearing assistive devices and hearing aids are the mainstay of rehabilitation for sensorineural hearing loss.
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Contributors Both authors (JML and MLB) equally contributed to the creation, preparation and editing of this manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Provenance and peer review Commissioned. Externally peer reviewed by Barry Seemungal, London, UK.
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