Case History/Examination:
A 20-year-old female was referred to the otology clinic for evaluation
of left-sided conductive hearing loss. The patient reported experiencing
10 years of left-sided hearing loss with no history of prior surgeries,
infections, trauma, or migraines. A pure tone audiogram showed moderate
to severe conductive loss in the left ear. On physical examination, she
had an unremarkable periauricular area, pinna, and external auditory
canal exam, with normal cranial nerve function. Weber test localizing to
the left with 512 Hz tuning fork, and bone greater than air conduction
at the left ear supporting the diagnosis of a conductive hearing loss.
Otomicroscopy revealed healthy, intact tympanic membranes, with normal
mobility and an aerated middle ear. The patient had no additional
complaints, and the remainder of the head and neck examination was
unremarkable.