1st September 2020

A 55-year-old male presented to the GP with worsening hearing difficulties for the past 9 months

A 55-year-old male presented to the GP with worsening hearing difficulties for the past 9 months affecting mainly the left ear. He denied otalgia, discharge from ear, trauma, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities except reduction in hearing in the left ear. An otoscope is conducted which reveals a normal tympanic membrane in the right ear; tympanic membrane cannot be visualised in the left ear due to ear wax. Pure tone audiometry is conducted by the GP, which shows a pattern of obstructive hearing loss in the left side and normal in the right ear.

What is the most appropriate diagnosis based on the clinical findings above?