Loss in the ability to hear or discriminate sounds is a common disability. This flow chart will help direct you if hearing loss is a problem for you or a family member.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Hearing Problems
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Have you been exposed to loud noises at work, or have you been shooting guns, driving a truck, or listening to loud music for long periods of time or over many years?
Are you experiencing partial hearing loss, along with an earache and feeling of fullness in the ear?
Has your hearing loss occurred gradually as you have aged?
Are you experiencing gradual hearing loss in one ear only?
Do you have bouts of dizziness (losing your balance), nausea, vomiting, and ringing in one ear (tinnitus) with hearing loss in the same ear?
Are you taking any medicines?
Do you have pain, reduced hearing, fever, cold symptoms, or a “fluid” sensation in your ear?
Do you have ringing or buzzing in one or both ears?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
Loud noises that result from certain types of work or entertainment may damage the inner ear. This kind of hearing loss is called OCCUPATIONAL.
Self Care
Prevent occupational hearing loss by wearing protective ear plugs or earmuffs. Once the hearing loss has occurred it can’t be reversed. If you think you have occupational hearing loss, see your doctor.
Diagnosis
Earwax blockage, called CERUMINOSIS or CERUMEN IMPACTION, can cause hearing loss in one or both ears.
Self Care
Use warm water or ½ warm water and ½ white vinegar solution, or an over-the-counter earwax removal kit to soften the wax in your ear. If the wax still can’t be removed, see your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have PRESBYCUSIS, hearing loss related to aging and other factors.
Self Care
See your doctor for an ear exam and a hearing test with an audiologist (hearing specialist). You may benefit from a hearing aid.
Diagnosis
You may have an ACOUSTIC NEUROMA, a noncancerous tumor that sits on the hearing nerve.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have MENIERE’S DISEASE or a more serious TUMOR on the hearing nerve.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Diagnosis
Certain medicines can cause hearing problems, such as ringing in the ears (TINNITUS).
Self Care
See your doctor.
Diagnosis
This may be due to a cold, flu, allergies, or a more chronic condition, such as SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA, in which fluid builds up in the middle ear.
Self Care
Use cold medicine for 5 to 7 days. If you don’t feel better, or if you have a constant fever or severe pain, see your doctor. Do not give cough or cold medicines to children under 5 years.
Diagnosis
This is called TINNITUS. It may be a benign condition, it may be related to hearing loss, or it may be related to a serious condition, especially if you have other symptoms.
Self Care
See your doctor to get a hearing test with an audiologist (hearing specialist).
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
