Ear symptoms: hearing loss, acute otitis externa, red flags to look out for, and supporting patients with tinnitus

GPs commonly see patients who are experiencing hearing loss, ear pain or inflammation, or who can hear sounds with no external cause (tinnitus). In this episode the MIMS learning editors focus on how to eliminate red flags, how to address causes of hearing loss, manage acute otitis externa, and support patients with tinnitus.

After listening to this podcast, healthcare professionals should be more aware of:

• How hearing loss is linked to the risk of dementia
• The Brighton grading scheme for classifying acute otitis externa, and how it is treated
• Signs and symptoms of necrotising otitis externa
• Red flag symptoms in hearing loss
• Presentations of tinnitus, and what it can sound like
• Management options for tinnitus

You can access the website version of this podcast on MIMS Learning to make notes for your appraisal. MIMS Learning offers hundreds of hours of CPD for healthcare professionals, along with a handy CPD organiser.

Further support for people with tinnitus can be found from the Tinnitus UK online chat or helpline on 0800 018 0527.

Please note: this podcast is presented by medical editors and discusses educational content written or presented by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals on the MIMS Learning website and at live events.

Useful links

Resources from MIMS Learning

Primary care research briefing July 2024 

Otitis externa clinical review

ENT emergencies

Hearing loss - red flag symptoms

Tinnitus - red flag symptoms

MIMS Learning

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