Health Check-up (H.T.C.)

The ENT examination consists of two parts:

• the clinical examination, carried out by the general practitioner;
• audiometry carried out by a member of the team and then interpreted by the doctor.

The clinical examination

During the general examination, the general practitioner assesses the ENT area, including:

• an examination of the throat;
• otoscopy, which allows the ear canals and eardrums to be observed.

This examination aims to detect any infections, inflammation or anatomical abnormalities.

Audiometry

Audiometry is a hearing test that measures the hearing acuity of each ear separately. Performed by a member of the team and interpreted by the doctor, it assesses the impact of a hearing disorder on daily life (conversation in noisy environments, meetings, restaurants, etc.).

From the age of 50 onwards, it is common to observe a gradual decline in hearing for high-pitched sounds. This phenomenon, known as physiological presbycusis, corresponds to the natural ageing of the sensory cells in the inner ear.

Audiometry can also reveal other forms of hearing loss, linked for example to a history of ear infections, dysfunction of the Eustachian tubes or excessive exposure to noise.

If necessary, the doctor may recommend additional hearing tests to refine the diagnosis and determine the precise cause.