assessment of hearing
Last reviewed 01/2018
The assessment of hearing begins with inspection of the patient's external auditory meatus for wax, foreign bodies, etc., and the eardrum for perforation and inflammation.
Do a screening test for hearing loss:
- block the patient's contralateral ear by pressing the tragus
- whisper numbers increasingly loudly until patient can repeat them
- place watch by patient's ear - can patient hear ticking
- repeat on other ear
If deafness is suspected then perform Rinne's and Weber's tests.