Evidence-based assessment of the ears, nose, and throat
The head and neck are a complex area that are responsible for many vital functions. Hearing loss has many underlying causes and should undergo a thorough evaluation to maximize communication potential. When evaluating a patient with hearing loss, the practitioner should use tuning forks to confirm the diagnosis. Proper diagnosis of infectious versus allergic causes of sinonasal symptoms can help avoid inappropriate antibiotic use and decrease the amount of money spent on over-the-counter medications. This chapter briefly describes the anatomy of the ear, nose, paranasal sinuses, mouth, and throat and discusses the physiology and pathophysiology of hearing and common problems related to the nose, paranasal sinuses, mouth, and throat. It helps the reader to elicit a comprehensive history and perform a thorough exam of the ears, nose, mouth, and throat and to identify differential diagnoses for frequent patient concerns related to the ears, nose, mouth, and throat.
