Hearing good but not the same in both ears

[Daygals]

DS had his Army entrance medical. They have a concern about his hearing.

Apparently both ears meet the standard but one is excellent and the other is OK. They've asked him to get it checked out by his GP and to arrange a further audiogram through his GP.

What "checks" is the GP likely to do? There's nothing "wrong" with his hearing, would you expect the NHS to "do" anything?

How serious is this likely to be?

Presumably the GP will have to refer him for the audiogram. How long is this likely to take? If we decided to do it privately how would we arrange that and what's the approximate cost?

He's absolutely set his heart on this and is devastated. Hopefully it's only a slight delay and his application can still progress but I'd like to get it sorted one way or the other asap.

[Daygals]

Any advice at all?

[LarkDescending]

No great wisdom to add, but I had a similar result recently - some loss of high frequencies on one side, which is the side on which I have chronic sinus problems.

If both his ears meet the standard, one would imagine it wouldn’t prevent his being accepted for the Army - perhaps they just need to make sure there is no underlying problem. Does he have a history of any sinus or other head/facial issues?

[Daygals]

No, he's always had great health and was expecting pass with flying colours.

I do worry because he always has ear buds in for his music

[happytoday73]

We always refer to GP people that come in for workplace medicals with one ear noticeably different than other unless known exposure/cause (shooting being one). Lots of possible reasons from 'just is', through infections and alike. Can sometimes be more sinister (v v rare) but always refer to check.
Referred loads... Never had more sinister reason yet