How has the patient's hearing remained over time?

The selection indicates that the patient does not perceive any changes in their hearing over time. This suggests that their auditory function has remained stable and consistent without any noticeable deterioration or improvement.

When a patient denies any hearing changes, it reflects that they have not experienced symptoms such as muffled sounds, difficulty in conversations, or challenges in hearing specific frequencies, which can often signal an underlying issue. This self-reported stability in hearing is crucial for healthcare providers when assessing overall health and planning further examination or treatment.

In contrast to this understanding, other choices indicate a concern or acknowledgment of hearing problems, which would not align with the patient’s report in this scenario. The lack of reported issues generally suggests a need for less immediate intervention for hearing concerns and allows clinicians to focus on other aspects of the patient's health.