Selected complex auditory disorders.

This article provides an overview of four auditory disorders relevant generally to adults and especially to veterans. The disorders are noise-induced hearing loss, idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, otosclerosis, and Méniàre's disease. Sensorineural hearing loss characterizes each, but additional aspects vary with each of the four conditions. This article describes the conditions, discusses their diagnoses and treatments, and outlines current and suggested rehabilitation. The emphasis is on recent advances, some of which await confirmation prior to possible acceptance as standard practice.