Medical Criteria for Evaluation of Degree of Disability Including Industrial Injury: Otolaryngology

The criteria for evaluating permanent impairments resulting from principal dysfunction of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures are uncertain in our country. However, our government is now striving to build up a welfare state with upgrading the law of industrial accident insurance. The author assess permanent impairment ratings of these structures by evaluating losses in structures or the following functions: hearing; equilibrium; respiration; mastication; olfaction, and taste; speech and voice; and the effect of these losses on the ability to perform activities of daily living. Impairment criteria were adapted from the literature, law and ordinances in our country.