[Summary of the guideline 'Hearing impairement' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners. The Dutch College of General Practitioners].

Hardness of hearing is a growing problem; toward the year 2000 there will be 1.5 to 2 million persons with hardness of hearing in the Netherlands. The Dutch College of General Practitioners has published a guideline 'Slechthorendheid' [hardness of hearing] with instructions for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hardness of hearing in primary care. Many patients with hardness of hearing do not visit the GP (e.g. mentally handicapped). The whispered speech test or screening audiometry plays an important part in the diagnosis. In case a hearing loss > or = 30 dB is detected consultation of or referral to an ENT specialist is an option. In most cases a plug of earwax is the cause of the hardness of hearing.