The Short Form 36 Health Survey, a generic measure, lacked specificity and sensitivity in detecting clinically significant hearing loss. However, significant hearing impairment was reflected in the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version questionnaire scores, suggesting that this is a good, disease-specific screening tool. A combination of functional (i.e. the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version questionnaire) and physiological (i.e. audiometric) assessment is recommended to investigate hearing loss in elderly individuals.

Laryngeal trauma is an uncommon injury. This has made it difficult for a common management pathway to evolve and controversies remain. Methods of airway control, usage of investigations and the role of stents or plates in surgical management are reviewed. It is important not to delay treatment due to the poor voice and airway outcome of chronic laryngeal stenosis.

The SF-36 and RQLQ are good for discriminating rhinitis patients from controls, but the former is poor for detecting changes in QOL. Both are inappropriate for mildly symptomatic patients. Each instrument measures non-overlapping halves of the measurable HRQL. For an assessment of the HRQL in persistent AR that is complete and responsive both instruments should be employed together.

Vestibular dysfunction is independently associated with ageing and presbyacusis. Further research into the benefits of additional screening for vestibular dysfunction in elderly presbyacusis patients is warranted.

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