11 Bilateral Slow-Onset Hearing Loss Bilateral slow-onset hearing loss is one of the most common reasons patients visit an otolaryngologist. Often a thorough history, physical examination, and audiogram are all that is necessary to arrive at a working diagnosis. Presbycusis, or age-associated hearing loss, is the most common cause of bilateral slow-onset sensorineural hearing loss. It is prevalent over the age of 65 and becomes more common with increasing age. There may be tinnitus but no other associated symptoms. History and physical examination are otherwise normal. See Chapter 9 for a discussion of hearing loss as a result of hereditary hearing impairment. See Chapter 10 for a discussion of noise-induced hearing loss. See Chapter 9 for a discussion of hearing loss caused by ototoxicity. Hearing loss as a result of barotrauma may be unilateral (see Chapter 10). Hearing loss resulting from Meniere disease has other associated symptoms and is rarely bilateral (see Chapter 9). Autoimmune hearing loss is often unilateral (see Chapter 9). Hearing loss resulting from radiation-induced inner ear injury is often unilateral (see Chapter 9).
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Inner Ear
Presbycusis
Hereditary Hearing Impairment
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Ototoxicity
Barotrauma
Meniere Disease
Autoimmune Hearing Loss
Radiation-Induced Inner Ear Injury
Spirochetal Diseases
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