Aetiological Investigations into Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adults
British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians. (2015).
United Kingdom: British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians, 1-15.
This guideline from the British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians provides good practice guidance on assessing permanent sensorineural hearing loss (unilateral or bilateral) for health practitioners involved in the management of adults with hearing loss.
British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians
When investigating the etiology of sensorineural hearing loss in adults, healthcare practitioners should "consider vestibular investigations where vestibular symptoms are present or if hearing loss is congenital profound or if hearing loss is due to meningitis. Also if syndromes especially known to be associated with vestibular defects are suspected (Usher, Jervel Lange Nielsen, Autoimmune inner ear disease)" (Grade D Recommendation; p. 7).
When investigating the etiology of sensorineural hearing loss in adults, healthcare practitioners should:
<ul>
<li>obtain a detailed history of symptoms, congenital and birth factors, symptoms of systemic or autoimmune diseases, vestibular function, presence of any tinnitus symptoms, and vision abilities (Grade D Recommendation), </li>
<li>obtain a history of exposure to risk factors such as use of ototoxic medication, head injuries, diseases, or illnesses (Grade D Recommendation), </li>
<li>obtain a history of noise exposures (occupational, recreational or social ) (Grade B Recommendation), and</li>
<li>obtain a family history of hearing loss, hearing loss risk factors, consanguinity and ethnic origin, and autoimmune or thyroid diseases (Grade D Recommendation).</li>
</ul>
When investigating the etiology of sensorineural hearing loss in adults, healthcare practitioners should confirm hearing loss using pure tone audiometry. "Consider tympanometry, speech audiometry, [otoacoustic emissions] OAEs, stapedial reflexes and [auditory brainstem response] ABRs to determine site of loss if indicated" (Grade D Recommendation; p. 7).
