Summary of Recommendations

Document Overview

Design and created by Guideline Central in participation with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Hearing Loss in Adults: Assessment and Management

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Publication Date: Oct 2, 2023

Page Last Updated: May 5, 2026

1.1 Assessment and referral

Hearing difficulties or suspected hearing difficulties

1.1.1 - For adults who present for the first time with hearing difficulties, or in whom you suspect hearing difficulties:
- exclude impacted wax and acute infections such as otitis externa, then
- arrange an audiological assessment (for more information, see recommendation 1.5.1) and
- refer for additional diagnostic assessment if needed (see the recommendations on sudden or rapid onset of hearing loss and hearing loss with specific additional symptoms or signs).

Sudden or rapid onset of hearing loss

1.1.2 - Refer adults with sudden onset or rapid worsening of hearing loss in one or both ears, which is not explained by external or middle ear causes, as follows.
- If the hearing loss developed suddenly (over a period of 3 days or less) within the past 30 days, refer immediately (to be seen within 24 hours) to an ear, nose and throat service or an emergency department.
- If the hearing loss developed suddenly more than 30 days ago, refer urgently (to be seen within 2 weeks) to an ear, nose and throat or audiovestibular medicine service.
- If the hearing loss worsened rapidly (over a period of 4 to 90 days), refer urgently (to be seen within 2 weeks) to an ear, nose and throat or audiovestibular medicine service.

Hearing loss with specific additional symptoms or signs

1.1.3 - Refer immediately (to be seen within 24 hours) adults with acquired unilateral hearing loss and altered sensation or facial droop on the same side to an ear, nose and throat service or, if stroke is suspected, follow a local stroke referral pathway. For information about diagnosis and initial management of stroke, see the NICE guideline on stroke and transient ischaemic attack in over 16s.
1.1.4 - Refer immediately (to be seen within 24 hours) adults with hearing loss who are immunocompromised and have otalgia (ear ache) with otorrhoea (discharge from the ear) that has not responded to treatment within 72 hours to an ear, nose and throat service.
1.1.5 - Consider making a referral to an ear, nose and throat service using a suspected cancer pathway referral for adults of Chinese or south-east Asian family origin who have hearing loss and a middle ear effusion not associated with an upper respiratory tract infection.
1.1.6 - Consider referring adults with hearing loss that is not explained by acute external or middle ear causes to an ear, nose and throat, audiovestibular medicine or specialist audiology service for diagnostic investigation, using a local pathway, if they present with any of the following:
- unilateral or asymmetric hearing loss as a primary concern
- hearing loss that fluctuates and is not associated with an upper respiratory tract infection
- hyperacusis (intolerance to everyday sounds that causes significant distress and affects a person's day-to-day activities)
- persistent tinnitus that is unilateral, pulsatile, has significantly changed in nature or is causing distress
- vertigo that has not fully resolved or is recurrent
- hearing loss that is not age related.
1.1.7 - Consider referring adults with hearing loss to an ear, nose and throat service if, after initial treatment of any earwax (see the recommendations on removing earwax) or acute infection, they have any of:
- partial or complete obstruction of the external auditory canal that prevents full examination of the eardrum or taking an aural impression
- pain affecting either ear (including in and around the ear) that has lasted for 1 week or more and has not responded to first-line treatment
- a history of discharge (other than wax) from either ear that has not resolved, has not responded to prescribed treatment, or recurs
- abnormal appearance of the outer ear or the eardrum, such as:
- inflammation
- polyp formation
- perforated eardrum
- abnormal bony or skin growths
- swelling of the outer ear
- blood in the ear canal
- a middle ear effusion in the absence of, or that persists after, an acute upper respiratory tract infection.

Adults with suspected or diagnosed dementia, mild cognitive impairment or a learning disability

1.1.8 - Consider referring adults with diagnosed or suspected dementia or mild cognitive impairment to an audiology service for a hearing assessment because hearing loss may be a comorbid condition.
1.1.9 - Consider referring adults with diagnosed dementia or mild cognitive impairment to an audiology service for a hearing assessment every 2 years if they have not previously been diagnosed with hearing loss.
1.1.10 - Consider referring people with a diagnosed learning disability to an audiology service for a hearing assessment when they transfer from child to adult services, and then every 2 years.

1.5 Assessment and management in audiology services

1.5.1 - Include and record the following as part of the audiological assessment for adults:
- a full history including relevant symptoms, comorbidities, cognitive ability, physical mobility and dexterity
- the person's hearing and communication needs at home, at work or in education, and in social situations
- any psychosocial difficulties related to hearing
- the person's expectations and motivations with respect to their hearing loss and the listening and communication strategies available to them
- any restrictions on activity, assessed using a self-report instrument such as the Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile or the Client-Orientated Scale of Improvement
- otoscopy
- pure tone audiometry
- tympanometry if indicated.
1.5.2 - After the audiological assessment:
- discuss with the person:
  - the pure tone audiogram and the impact their hearing loss might have on communication
  - hearing deficits (such as listening in noisy environments) that are not obvious from the audiogram
  - options for managing their hearing needs, such as acoustic or bone conduction hearing aids, assistive listening devices and communication strategies, and the potential benefits and limitations of each option
  - options for managing single-sided deafness if needed
  - referral for implantable devices such as cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids, middle ear implants or auditory brain stem implants, if these might be suitable (see the section on implantable devices)
  - referral for medical or surgical treatments, if these might be suitable
  - agree and record a personalised care plan, taking into account the person's preferences, including goals, and give the person a copy.
1.5.3 - Give the person and, if they wish, their family or carers, information about:
- the causes of hearing loss, how hearing loss affects the ability to communicate and hear, and how it can be managed
- organisations and support groups for people with hearing loss.

1.6 Hearing aids, assistive listening devices and implantable devices

Hearing aids

Offering hearing aids to adults

1.6.1 - Offer hearing aids to adults whose hearing loss affects their ability to communicate and hear, including awareness of warning sounds and the environment, and appreciation of music.
1.6.2 - Offer 2 hearing aids to adults with aidable hearing loss in both ears. Explain that wearing 2 hearing aids can help to make speech easier to understand when there is background noise, make it easier to tell where sounds are coming from, and improve sound quality.
1.6.3 - Consider using motivational interviewing or engagement strategies and goal setting when discussing hearing aids with adults for the first time, to encourage acceptance and use of hearing aids.
1.6.4 - Show the hearing aids when they are first offered and discuss their suitability with the person.

Prescribing and fitting hearing aids for adults

1.6.5 - When prescribing and fitting hearing aids, explain the features on the hearing aid that can help the person to hear in background noise, such as directional microphone and noise reduction settings.
1.6.6 - Advise adults with hearing aids about choosing microphone and noise reduction settings that will meet their needs in different environments, and ensure that they know how to use them.
1.6.7 - Give adults with hearing aids information about getting used to hearing aids, cleaning and caring for their hearing aids, and troubleshooting.

Assistive listening devices

1.6.8 - Give adults with hearing loss information about assistive listening devices such as personal loops, personal communicators, TV amplifiers, telephone devices, smoke alarms, doorbell sensors, and technologies such as streamers and apps.
1.6.9 - Tell adults with hearing loss about organisations that can demonstrate and provide advice on how to obtain assistive listening devices, such as social services, the fire service, or the government through programmes such as Access to Work or Disabled Student Allowance.

Implantable devices

1.6.10 - Cochlear implants are recommended as an option in NICE technology appraisal guidance for treating severe to profound deafness in some people who do not receive adequate benefit from acoustic hearing aids. For full details, see the guidance on cochlear implants (TA566, 2019).

1.7 Follow-up in audiology services

1.7.1 - Offer adults with hearing aids a face-to-face follow‑up audiology appointment 6 to 12 weeks after the hearing aids are fitted, with the option to attend this appointment by telephone or electronic communication if the person prefers.
1.7.2 - At the follow‑up audiology appointment for adults with hearing aids:
- ask the person if they have any concerns or questions
- address any difficulties with inserting, removing or maintaining their hearing aids
- provide information on communication, social care or rehabilitation support services if needed
- tell the person how to contact audiology services in the future for aftercare, including repairs and adjustments to accommodate changes in their hearing
- ensure that the person's hearing aids and other devices meet their needs by checking:
- the comfort, sound quality and volume of hearing aids, including microphone and noise reduction settings, and fine-tuning them if needed
- hearing aid cleaning, battery life and use with a telephone
- use of assistive listening devices
- hours the hearing aid has been used, if shown by automatic data logging
- review the goals identified in the personalised care plan and agree how to address any that have not been met (for information on the personalised care plan, see recommendation 1.5.2)
- update the personalised care plan and provide them with a copy.
1.7.3 - For adults with hearing loss in both ears who chose a single hearing aid, consider a second hearing aid at the follow‑up appointment.
1.7.4 - For adults with hearing loss who have chosen a management strategy other than hearing aids, such as assistive listening devices or communication strategies, offer a follow‑up appointment when the effectiveness of the device or strategy can be evaluated.
1.7.5 - Tell adults with hearing loss who have chosen not to have a hearing aid or other device how to contact audiology services in the future.
1.7.6 - Consider having a system in place for recalling people with hearing devices for regular reassessment of their hearing needs and devices.

Document Overview

Document Title: Hearing Loss in Adults: Assessment and Management

Authoring Society: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Document Publication Date: Oct 2, 2023

Page Last Reviewed/Updated: May 5, 2026

Document Type: Guideline

Country of Publication: United Kingdom

Full Text Freely Available: Yes

Full Text Guideline: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98

Source Citation: National Guideline Centre (UK). Hearing loss in adults: assessment and management. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2018 Jun. PMID: 30011159.

Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases

Document Objectives: This guideline covers some aspects of assessing and managing hearing loss in primary, community and secondary care. It aims to improve the quality of life for adults with hearing loss by advising healthcare staff on assessing hearing difficulties, managing earwax and referring people for audiological or specialist assessment and management.

Scope: Assessment and Screening, Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D034381 - Hearing Loss

Keywords: hearing loss

Target Patient Population: Adults with hearing loss

Inclusion Criteria: Male, Female, Adult, Older Adult

Health Care Settings: Ambulatory

Intended Users: Audiologist, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant

Hearing Loss in Adults: Assessment and Management

Summary of Recommendations

1.1 Assessment and referral

1.2 Removing earwax

1.3 Investigation using MRI

1.4 Treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

1.5 Assessment and management in audiology services

1.6 Hearing aids, assistive listening devices and implantable devices

1.7 Follow-up in audiology services

1.8 Information and support

Document Overview

Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases