Meyerhoff W L
Laryngoscope. 1978 Jun;88(6):960-73. doi: 10.1288/00005537-197806000-00007.
Millions of Americans suffer hearing loss resulting in immense social and economic consequences. Hearing loss is merely a symptom or sign and the evaluation and management of afflicted individuals requires a thorough knowledge of etiologic factors and understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Hearing loss is either conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. It may be congenital or delayed in onset, genetic or progressive or stable. Specific diagnosis should be sought in all cases with the objective being reversal of the hearing loss. Often definitive therapy is lacking yet prevention of progression, when possible; recognition of associated disorders, when present; compensation for disability, when applicable; epidemiologic study; genetic and psycho-social counseling; and habilitation and rehabilitation may still be initiated. A vigorous approach to the patient with hearing loss should be championed by the otolaryngologist.
数以百万计的美国人患有听力损失，这会导致巨大的社会和经济后果。听力损失仅仅是一种症状或体征，对患者的评估和治疗需要全面了解病因以及对潜在病理生理学的认识。听力损失分为传导性、感音神经性或混合性。它可能是先天性的，也可能发病较晚，可能是遗传性的、渐进性的或稳定的。所有听力损失病例都应寻求明确诊断，目标是恢复听力。通常缺乏确切的治疗方法，但在可能的情况下防止听力损失进展；识别存在的相关疾病；在适用时对残疾进行补偿；开展流行病学研究；进行遗传和心理社会咨询；以及进行 habilitation 和康复治疗，这些措施仍然可以启动。耳鼻喉科医生应该积极地为听力损失患者提供治疗。 （注：“habilitation”可译为“适应性训练”等，此处结合语境保留英文以便理解其确切医学含义）
