When conducting an audiometric test, which outcome would require a medical referral?

A sudden change in established hearing levels is a significant concern and requires prompt medical referral because it may indicate an underlying medical condition that needs immediate attention. Such changes could be indicative of various issues like acoustic neuroma, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or other serious auditory or neurological conditions.

Monitoring hearing thresholds over time is crucial, and any abrupt alterations suggest a potential pathology that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. In contrast, normal hearing thresholds, air-bone gaps indicative of conductive loss, and mild sensorineural hearing loss do not typically necessitate an urgent medical referral without additional concerning factors or symptoms. While conductive loss does require evaluation and potentially intervention, it’s not as immediate an emergency as sudden changes in hearing levels.