Patient History

Age:                79

Gender:        Female

The patient reports gradual onset hearing loss, perhaps worse in the left ear.  She purchased hearing aids 5-6 years previously, wore them initially, then discontinued use feeling that they were not sufficiently helpful — she reports that she did not hear well in noise and that her own voice quality sounded different through the aids and she could not get use to that, even though the hearing aid dispenser told her that she would eventually would get use to it

She reports some unsteadiness, but no true vertigo.  She has only occasional tinnitus, and no aural pain or fullness.

She is on coumadin (blood thinner) and several anti-arrhythmia drugs and medication for high blood pressure.  She says her health is fairly good and that her heart problems are managed well.

Otoscopy

The tympanic membranes are somewhat opaque. The ear canals are clear, there is only minimal cerumen in the left ear.