What it is
It may affect one or both ears. It does not usually cause complete deafness.
Hearing aids work well for many people. An operation called a stapedectomy or stapedotomy can improve hearing for some.
Common signs
- Hearing loss that slowly gets worse
- Finding it easier to hear in noisy places
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Hearing your own voice loudly
- Sometimes dizziness
How it is usually diagnosed
- Ear examination
- Hearing tests (audiogram and tympanometry)
- Sometimes a CT scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Audiogram results
- ENT letters
- Scan reports
- Surgery notes
- Hearing aid fitting records
Questions to ask your doctor
- Would a hearing aid or surgery suit me better?
- What are the risks of surgery?
- How often should my hearing be checked?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears: see a doctor the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.