Sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Unilateral Mucosal Type of Chronic Otitis Media

Sensorineural hearing loss is relatively well established in the squamosal chronic otitis media. However, its association with mucosal COM is still debated. The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in unilateral mucosal COM. The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, and 60 patients with unilateral mucosal chronic otitis media were recruited. Pure tone thresholds were ascertained for air and bone conduction in an acoustically treated room and matched against certain patient and disease characteristics. In this study, the combined prevalence of SNHL/Mixed Hearing loss in mucosal COM was found to be 8.3%. A statistically significant association between SNHL/Mixed HL was seen in the 40-50-year age group (p-0.004). Prevalence with a disease duration of more than 10 years was 33% (p-0.019). All the patients who presented with SNHL/Mixed HL had an actively discharging ear. 80% of the patients who presented with SNHL/Mixed HL had large perforations. SNHL/Mixed HL prevalence of 28.6% was found in smokers, compared to 5.7% in non-smokers (p-0.039). The risk of developing SNHL/Mixed HL increased with increasing patients' age, disease duration, and size of the perforation and smokers.

Does Mucosal Chronic Otitis Media Leads to Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) results from inner ear damage or injury to the neural pathways that relay signals from the inner ear to the brain. A serious sequelae of COM is damage to the inner ear. This study aimed at finding the occurrence of SNHL in unilateral mucosal COM. One Hundred patients who had unilateral mucosal COM were enrolled in the study and underwent pure tone audiometry using Audio 4002 system in acoustically treated room. Bone conduction (BC) threshold less than 20 dB was taken as normal. Significant SNHL of 23% was seen in mucosal COM. Unilateral mucosal COM leads to significant impact on BC thresholds. The risk of SNHL increases with larger perforation size and increasing duration and active stage of disease.

Correlation of Tympanic Membrane Perforation with Hearing Loss and Its Parameters in Chronic Otitis Media: An Analytical Study

Chronic otitis media is one of the commonest illnesses in otorhinolaryngological practice which requires medical attention. Intact tympanic membrane acts as a shield for round window niche to create a phase difference in sound wave conduction. 700 patients of age 10-70 years with inactive mucosal chronic otitis media were included in the study. Condition of tympanic membrane and site of tympanic membrane perforation was noted and audiometric analysis was performed. 338 (48.28%) were males and 362 (51.71%) were females. In 1400 membranes examined, 769 (54.85%) presented with perforation. 631 (82.03%) had unilateral perforation and 69 (17.97%) had bilateral perforations. In unilateral cases, 289 (37.50%) had right ear perforation and 342 (44.53%) left ear perforation. Single quadrant perforations were present in 168 (21.74%) membranes and 419 (54.55%) involved two quadrants. Three quadrant perforations were seen in 62 (8.09%) and 120 (15.63%) perforations involved all four quadrants. In 171 (22.26%) ears, perforation was present anterior to handle of malleus and in 243 (31.53%) it was present only posterior to handle. In 355 (46.21%) perforations, handle of malleus was involved. Perforations involving posterior half of tympanic membranes showed greater loss than those involving anterior or inferior half of membrane statistically. Maximum loss (51.56 ± 5.1 dB) was seen in perforation involving all four quadrants. In 631 unilateral cases, conductive loss was seen in 424 (67.10%), 101 (16.10%) showed sensorineural and 74 (11.80%) showed mixed loss. Out of 769 perforated ears having hearing loss, 251 (37.69%) had complaints for 5-10 years with mean loss of 51.15 ± 7.8 dB, 172 (25.68%) had COM for 1-5 years with loss of 39.26 ± 5.1 dB. A mean hearing loss of 52.18 ± 4.2 dB was seen in 110 (16.52%) patients suffering from COM for more than 10 years. 134 (20.12%) patients having disease less than 1 year reported hearing loss of 36.46 ± 8.2 dB. The effects of perforation of tympanic membranes on transmission of sound and its dynamics are not easy to correlate because of additional pathological changes in middle ear.

Chronic Otitis Media and its Correlation with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss in a Tertiary Care Centre of North India

Relation between chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss is controversial. Otitis media can cause threshold shift in high frequency range. Also this correlation with patient's age, disease duration and normal ear is of importance for early prevention of hearing loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and chronic otitis media. We also studied association of bone conduction between diseased ear and contralateral normal ear. In this study, 840 patients of unilateral COM were included. Audiometry was done and data analyzed. Majority of patients showing SNHL had COM for over a period of 5 years. Squamosal disease showed early progression to SNHL than mucosal disease. Higher frequencies were found to be more affected and maximum bone gap was seen at 4000 Hz. There was significant difference in mean bone conduction threshold between diseased ear and normal ear at all frequencies (p value < 0.001). Contradicting studies have emerged about association of SNHL with COM. Studies suggest that SNHL does not change with age but with duration. Bone conduction threshold tends to increase with increasing frequency. Few authors also pointed that this may be due to Carhart's effect and not due to disease damaging inner ear.

Risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with unilateral safe chronic suppurative otitis media

PURPOSE

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the major cause of hearing impairment, especially conductive hearing loss. Few patients also had sensorineural component, the sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in CSOM is controversial, especially for safe mucosal type. This study aims to assess the relationship between the frequency of SNHL development in patients with safe mucosal CSOM and its relation to patient's age, sex, duration of disease, size of perforation and different audiological findings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a prospective study conducted from June 2016 to June 2017 in a tertiary referral hospital. 200 patients with unilateral mucosal type of CSOM with normal contralateral ear were included in the study. The diseased ears were taken as study ears and normal ears as control ears in all patients. Detailed otologic history, clinical and audiometric findings were recorded and analyzed. Results were statistically compared in all patients for both study and control ears using different parameters.

RESULTS

Twenty patients had an average bone conduction threshold of all frequencies above 25dB, which implies SNHL (10%). The incidence of SNHL was statistically significant at higher speech frequencies. The incidence increased with the presence of Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, duration of disease, presence of active discharge and the increase in size of perforation. However, it is not age dependent and there was no difference between males and females.

CONCLUSION

Safe mucosal CSOM can cause SNHL with multiple predisposing factors.

Ossicular chain reconstruction improves bone conduction threshold in chronic otitis media

This study aimed to assess the elevation of bone conduction threshold in patients with chronic otitis media and to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon. One hundred and six patients with unilateral chronic otitis media who had undergone a tympanomastoidectomy were reviewed retrospectively. The differences in the bone conduction thresholds between the diseased and normal sides were assessed and compared according to the duration of the disease and the presence of cholesteatoma. Post-operative changes in the bone conduction threshold were also assessed. The mean bone conduction thresholds were significantly elevated on the diseased side, ranging from 3.4 to 11.6 dB across frequencies, with a maximal elevation at 2000 Hz. The duration of disease and the presence of cholesteatoma did not affect the degree of the bone conduction elevation. After ossicular reconstruction, bone conduction thresholds improved significantly at all frequencies, with the greatest improvement being observed at 2000 Hz. These results suggest that the elevation in the bone conduction threshold in chronic otitis media is mainly caused by a change in the conductive mechanism in the middle ear.

Relationship between CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between the temporal bone CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in ears with non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (COM).

METHODS

Preoperative bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 266 patients (304 ears) with COM were compared with those of 342 normal individuals (440 ears) by audiometry. The incidence of abnormal BC threshold at lower frequencies (250-1000 Hz) and at higher frequencies (2000-4000 Hz) were examined and the differences between control and COM groups were compared by using χ2 test. In the COM group, the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n=255) were correlated with the results of BC threshold.

RESULTS

The percentage in the COM group exceeds 15% in their 50s at lower frequencies while in their 40s at higher frequencies. The BC thresholds were significantly better in the group with normal mastoid area than in those with smaller mastoid area at each decadal age group. The BC impairment from COM becomes worse as the course of the disease progresses and deteriorated from 40s rapidly, especially at higher frequencies and in the group with smaller mastoid area.

CONCLUSION

These results recommend that early treatment, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible before BC impairment occurs, especially for COM cases with smaller mastoid area, which may indicate the existence of more severe otitis media since earlier childhood.

Burden of disease caused by otitis media: systematic review and global estimates

BACKGROUND

Otitis media (OM) is a leading cause of health care visits and drugs prescription. Its complications and sequelae are important causes of preventable hearing loss, particularly in developing countries. Within the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, for the year 2005 we estimated the incidence of acute OM, chronic suppurative OM, and related hearing loss and mortality for all ages and the 21 WHO regional areas.

METHODS

We identified risk factors, complications and sequelae of OM. We carried out an extensive literature review (Medline, Embase, Lilacs and Wholis) which lead to the selection of 114 papers comprising relevant data. Data were available from 15 of the 21 WHO regions. To estimate incidence and prevalence for all countries we adopted a two stage approach based on risk factors formulas and regression modelling.

RESULTS

Acute OM incidence rate is 10.85% i.e. 709 million cases each year with 51% of these occurring in under-fives. Chronic suppurative OM incidence rate is 4.76 ‰ i.e. 31 million cases, with 22.6% of cases occurring annually in under-fives. OM-related hearing impairment has a prevalence of 30.82 per ten-thousand. Each year 21 thousand people die due to complications of OM.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first attempt to systematically review the available information and provide global estimates for OM and related conditions. The overall burden deriving from AOM, CSOM and their sequelae is considerable, particularly in the first five years of life and in the poorest countries. The findings call for incorporating OM-focused action within preventive and case management strategies, with emphasis on the more affected.

Extended high frequency audiometry in secretory otitis media

The objective of the present study was to determine the status of extended high frequencies in subjects with secretory otitis media. The study evaluated 30 ears of 20 subjects with secretory otitis media in the age group of 15-30 years. This data was compared with 20 ears of 10 volunteers of the same age group with clinically normal hearing. Pure tone air conduction thresholds were analyzed in three frequency groups: low frequency (LF: 0.25, 0.5, and 1 kHz), high frequency (HF: 2, 4, and 8 kHz) and extended high frequency (EHF: 10, 12, and 16 kHz). The results showed elevated extended high frequency thresholds (EHFG) as compared to control group and comparatively better thresholds at high frequencies(HFG)s as compared to low (LFG)and extended high frequencies(EHFG) in the study group. This validates the importance of including an extended high frequency audiometry in the test battery of patients with secretory otitis media.

Role of IgE in eosinophilic otitis media

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable otitis media characterized by the presence of a highly viscous yellow effusion containing eosinophils. It mainly occurs in patients with bronchial asthma and is resistant to conventional treatments for otitis media. Here we discuss the role of IgE in the pathogenesis of EOM. In middle ear effusion, a significantly higher IgE level was detected in EOM patients than in control patients with common otitis media with effusion. This IgE level was significantly higher (about 10 fold) than the serum IgE level. In addition, many IgE-immunopositive cells were found in the middle ear mucosa. The IgE staining was mainly observed on mast cell surfaces, but also partially in the cytoplasm of cells that appeared to be plasma cells. These results suggested that IgE is produced locally in the middle ear mucosa. The existence of high-level IgE may exacerbate eosinophilic inflammation in the middle ear. One of the most distinct characteristics of EOM is the high incidence of sensory hearing loss independent of age. High-tone hearing loss is more frequently found and more severe in EOM patients than in control patients with common chronic otitis media. The concentration of IgE in middle ear effusion significantly and positively correlated with bone conduction hearing levels at 2 kHz and 4 kHz in EOM patients. Overproduction of IgE locally in the middle ear may be related to the pathological condition of EOM and eventually cause inner ear damage.

Disability and quality of life among community elderly with dizziness: report from the Ibadan study of ageing

BACKGROUND

Dizziness is prevalent among the elderly. However, little is known about its impact on quality of life and disability, especially in developing countries, where the number of elderly people is increasing.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disability, and the quality of life, among elderly persons with dizziness living in the community.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study of dizziness among elderly persons (i.e. aged 65 years and over) residing in Yoruba-speaking areas of Nigeria.

METHOD

Face-to-face interviews with respondents selected using a multi-stage, stratified area probability sampling of households. Dizziness was based on self-reporting and health-related quality of life was measured using the brief version of the World Health Organization quality of life assessment.

RESULT

Dizziness was reported and confirmed in 318/1281 elderly respondents, a prevalence of 24.8 per cent. Respondents comprised 197 (61.9 per cent) women and 121 (38.1 per cent) men. Thirty-nine respondents (12.3 per cent) were aged 65-69 years, 91 (28.6 per cent) 70-74 years, 66 (20.8 per cent) 75-79 years and 122 (38.4 per cent) > or =80 years. The prevalence of disability in activities of daily living was 29.56 per cent, and that of disability in instrumental activities of daily living 10.1 per cent. The influence of gender was not significant. The prevalence of disability in activities of daily living (p = 0.00) and in instrumental activities of daily living (p = 0.00) increased significantly with age. Univariate analysis revealed that disability in activities of daily living (p = 0.00), disability in instrumental activities of daily living (p = 0.01), poor family interaction (p = 0.00), poor community involvement (p = 0.00), overall poor health (p = 0.00), current depression (p = 0.01), and difficulty with sedentary (p = 0.00) and vigorous (p = 0.00) activities were significantly more common among elderly respondents with dizziness, compared with non-dizzy elderly respondents. In contrast, cognitive impairment (p = 0.05) was not significantly correlated. The probabilities of the occurrence of difficulty with vigorous or sedentary mobility in our elderly respondents were 2.6 and 1.9, respectively, compared with non-dizzy elderly respondents. Similarly, the probabilities of the occurrence of disability in activities of daily living, current depression and dementia were 1.6 each. Logistic regression analyses for age, sex, medical conditions and presence of disability confirmed that dizziness was significantly associated with worsened cognition. Similarly, dizziness was significantly associated with reduced total quality of life (p = 0.00), and also with reductions in the physical (p = 0.00), psychological (p = 0.00) and environmental (p = 0.00) domains of the research instrument.

CONCLUSION

Among elderly people with dizziness, there was a high prevalence of significant disability requiring assistance. In addition, dizziness alone significantly reduced these individual's overall total quality of life, and their quality of life as regards physical, psychological and environmental parameters. This information will assist policy planning for the elderly.

The prevalence and correlates of self-reported hearing impairment in the Ibadan study of ageing

This cohort study of 1302 persons aged >or=65 years, conducted in the Yoruba-speaking regions of Nigeria, determines the prevalence and correlates of hearing impairment (HI) in the elderly population. Self-reports of HI and its putative risk factors among several indices were obtained using face-to-face interviews, and confirmed by observer's evaluation. Hearing impairment was found in 79 respondents, giving a prevalence of 6.1%. Gender difference was not significant but increasing age was associated with higher prevalence. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, revealed that history of recurrent suppurative otitis media [odds ratio (OR)=4.6, 95% CI 2.34-8.99, P=0.01], head injury (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.14-4.26, P=0.02) and current hypertension (OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.18-3.57, P=0.01) were significantly associated with HI. No identifiable risk factors were found in 32 (40.5%) of the 79 respondents with HI. We conclude that the prevalence of HI among the elderly in Nigeria is comparable to reports from other countries. Identified risk factors were preventable or controllable. The large proportion of elderly with no identifiable risk factors, presumably presbyacusis, suggests a need for further study. The strategies for control of these risk factors and hearing aid support should be integrated into health care policy initiatives for elderly persons in sub-Saharan Africa.

Is sensorineural hearing loss with chronic otitis media due to infection or aging in older patients?

OBJECTIVE

To clarify true incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in ears with chronic otitis media (COM).

METHODS

Bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 180 preoperative patients (207 ears) with COM and 226 normal individuals (289 ears)were measured by audiometry, and the percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range was evaluated in the COM group. In the COM group, the size of the perforation on the eardrum (n = 196) and the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n = 103) were also measured and correlated with the results of BC threshold.

RESULTS

The percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range calculated from comparison to the control group tended to increase with age, ranging from 4.5% in the 20s to 34.1% in the 60s with an average of 26.6%. The increase in the BC thresholds did not correlate with the size of eardrum perforation, but correlated well with the size of the mastoid air cells.

CONCLUSION

These results may suggest that all measures for early cure, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible for patients with COM.

Eosinophilic inflammation in the middle ear induces deterioration of bone-conduction hearing level in patients with eosinophilic otitis media

OBJECTIVE

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is characterized by the extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear mucosa and middle ear effusion and is usually associated with bronchial asthma. Eosinophilic otitis media patients show gradual or sudden deterioration of hearing. In our previous study, we reported that high-tone loss was more frequently found and more severe in EOM patients than in control patients with chronic otitis media. These findings suggest that not only bacterial infection but also eosinophilic inflammation in the middle ear may damage the inner ear. The present study was performed to determine whether eosinophilic inflammation is indeed related to deterioration of bone-conduction hearing level (BCHL).

PATIENTS

Fifty-five ears of 28 patients with EOM associated with bronchial asthma were included in this study. Middle ear effusion (MEE) samples were collected from all the patients, and the concentrations of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay. The BCHLs at 2 and 4 kHz for the worse-hearing ear of each patient were correlated with the concentrations of ECP and IgE.

RESULTS

The concentration of IgE in MEE significantly and positively correlated with BCHL at 2 and 4 kHz. The ears with a higher concentration of ECP in MEE also tended to show deterioration of BCHL at 4 kHz. Other clinical risk factors for BCHL deterioration were male sex, long duration of EOM, association with bacterial infection, severe inflammatory changes of the middle ear mucosa, and high serum IgE concentration.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilic-inflammation-related substances such as ECP and IgE are closely related to the deterioration of BCHL at high frequencies. Particularly, IgE concentration in MEE is a good indicator of BCHL elevation. We should always pay attention to the hearing acuity of EOM patients with the risk factors.

Predisposing factors for inner ear hearing loss association with chronic otitis media

The aim of the present study was to investigate the consequences of chronic otitis media on inner ear function. Retrospective analysis of conventional pure-tone audiometry tests was carried out on 344 patients who were scheduled for surgical treatment of unilateral chronic otitis media without other risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss. Bone conduction thresholds of diseased ears were compared with those of contralateral, non-diseased ears. Selected clinical features were assessed among diseased ears to examine possible influences on inner ear function. Mean bone conduction threshold differences varied from 0.6 dB at 0.5 kHz to 3.7 dB at 4 kHz. These differences augmented with increasing duration of middle ear disease. Impaired hearing by bone conduction thresholds of diseased ears correlated with increased age at every frequency and with an interruption of the ossicular chain only at higher frequencies. The severity of sensorineural hearing loss correlated with longer duration of middle ear disease. Thus, surgical treatment of dry and apparently stable tympanic membrane perforation is warranted.

Bone conduction hearing level in patients with eosinophilic otitis media associated with bronchial asthma

OBJECTIVE

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is characterized by the extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear mucosa and middle ear effusion and is usually associated with bronchial asthma. EOM patients show gradual deterioration of hearing and sometimes become deaf suddenly. However, there have been no systemic studies of bone conduction hearing level (BCHL) of patients with EOM.

PATIENTS

Seventy-one ears of 38 patients with EOM associated with bronchial asthma were included in this study. For controls, 65 ears of age-matched 60 patients with chronic otitis media (COM), who underwent tympanoplasty, were similarly studied. The BCHLs at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz of EOM patients were compared with those of COM patients, and the clinical risk factors for the deterioration of BCHL in EOM were analyzed.

RESULTS

Two patients became profoundly deaf unilaterally after the onset of EOM. High-tone loss was more frequently found and more severe in EOM patients than in COM patients. The clinical risk factors for high-tone loss were older age, male sex, presence of pathogens, and condition of the middle ear mucosa.

CONCLUSION

High-tone hearing loss and profound hearing loss were frequently associated with EOM, suggesting that inflammatory products of the middle ear invade the inner ear via the round window to cause inner ear damage. To prevent the deterioration of BCHL, the control of eosinophilic inflammation and bacterial infection is mandatory.

Eosinophilic otitis media: a new middle ear disease entity

Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is intractable otitis media characterized by the presence of a highly viscous yellow effusion containing eosinophils. It occurs mainly in patients with bronchial asthma and is resistant to conventional treatments for otitis media. Here we discuss the clinical features, pathogenesis, and management of EOM. EOM predominantly affects women and presents most often in patients in their 50s. The clinical features of the middle ear in EOM are roughly divided into the otitis media with effusion type and chronic otitis media type. The latter is further divided into two subtypes: simple perforation and granulation tissue formation. EOM is often complicated by rhinosinusitis (eosinophilic sinusitis). High-tone loss is more frequently found and more severe in EOM patients than in chronic otitis media control patients, and EOM patients sometimes become deaf suddenly. Systemic or topical steroid administration is the most effective treatment for patients with EOM. The instillation of triamcinolone acetonide, a suspension of steroids, into the middle ear is very effective for controlling eosinophilic inflammation. It is very important to explain to patients with EOM that the disease may last for a long period and that progressive and sudden hearing loss may occur.

Gastric pepsin in middle ear fluid of children with otitis media: clinical implications

Gastroesophageal reflux and extraesophageal reflux have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of otitis media. This is supported by recent studies revealing the presence of gastric pepsin in the middle ear space of children with otitis media but not in control patients without otitis media. Reflux's role in otitis media appears to be most pronounced in younger children and those with purulent effusions.

Is sensorineural hearing loss with chronic otitis media due to infection or aging in older patients?

OBJECTIVE

To clarify true incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in ears with chronic otitis media (COM).

METHODS

Bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 180 preoperative patients (207 ears) with COM and 226 normal individuals (289 ears) were measured by audiometry, and the percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range was evaluated in the COM group. In the COM group, the size of the perforation on the eardrum (n=196) and the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n=103) were also measured and correlated with the results of BC threshold.

RESULTS

The percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range calculated from comparison to the control group tended to increase with age, ranging from 4.5% in the 20s to 34.1% in the 60s with an average of 26.6%. The increase in the BC thresholds did not correlate with the size of eardrum perforation, but correlated well with the size of the mastoid air cells.

CONCLUSION

These results may suggest that all measures for early cure, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible for patients with COM.

Sensorineural hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media with and without cholesteatoma

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) related to chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was studied to clarify the involvement of cholesteatomas in this context. Aim: to evaluate SNHL related to CSOM and its association with cholesteatomas, disease duration and patients’ ages. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 115 patients with CSOM with and without cholesteatoma submitted to surgical treatment. Inclusion criteria were active unilateral disease, normal contralateral ear and age below 60 years. Results: The average age was 26.3 years, 58 males and 57 females. The duration of ear disease was, in average, 12.4 years. The average threshold of hearing was 40 dB in CSOM ear and 22 dB in the normal contralateral ear (P=0.002). CSOM with cholesteatoma occurred in 78 of 115 cases. In the abnormal ear, SNHL was seen in 15 cases, being 6 cases of profound loss, that correlated with adjusted-age (P=0.003) and absence of cholesteatoma (P=0.01), but not with disease duration (P=0.458). Conclusion: SNHL occurred in 13% of the patients with CSOM, and was correlated with older age, but not with the presence of cholesteatoma or longer duration of ear disease.

Intractable otitis media with eosinophils: Importance of diagnosis and validity of treatment for hearing preservation

This study investigated hearing levels in cases of intractable otitis media with eosinophils and validated the treatment strategy. Medical charts were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis was made when the proportion of eosinophils in middle ear secretions exceeded 10%. Twelve patients were identified and treated with an antihistaminergic agent, leukotriene receptor antagonist and topical steroid. The air-bone conductance gap decreased significantly with the relief of subjective symptoms. Bone conduction hearing levels at 4 and 8 kHz were higher than at lower frequencies. There was a significant correlation between subjective symptom duration and bone conduction hearing level at 8 kHz, which diminished with treatment. Compared with suppurative otitis, active otitis with eosinophilia damages high-tone sensory hearing in a time-dependent manner, and antiallergic treatment prevents progression of the high-tone sensory hearing loss. We emphasize the importance of diagnosis and the validity of treatment for intractable otitis media with eosinophils.

Determinants of sensorineural hearing loss in chronic middle-ear disease

A statistical study was carried out on SNHL in CSOM. The study group consisted of 1,828 patients suffering from CSOM who underwent surgery at our centre from 1982 to 2001, out of these 510 cases with unilateral CSOM were selected for this study by a strict selection criteria so as to eliminate covariables such as exposure to acoustic trauma, head injury, previous ear surgery and hereditary causes. The healthy ear served as control. We determined the average SNHL in relation to the age of onset, duration of disease, examining it in relation to other eventual aural complications such as cholesteatoma, ossicular chain erosion und otorrhea.On the basis of data obtained we observed consistent co-relation between severity of SNHL and duration of the disease, presence of cholesteatoma, ossicular erosion, attic and subtotal perforations. These findings suggest that more severe middle ear disease may result in SNHL and thus early intervention in cases of chronic suppurative Otitis media is desired.

Hearing Loss Associated With Ear Infections in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

OBJECTIVE

We have assessed the effect of recurrent childhood ear infections on adult hearing. We also examined whether adult hearing is poorer with an early age of onset of ear infections compared with later onset.

DESIGN

A population-based cohort of 50,398 subjects, 20 yr of age or older, were examined with air-conduction, pure-tone audiometry and reported if they had had recurrent ear infections (EI) in childhood (or subsequently) with the age of onset.

RESULTS

There were poorer hearing thresholds associated with recurrent EI for all frequency ranges from 0.25 kHz to 8 kHz, regardless of age or gender. The effect increased with age from approximately 2 dB among younger subjects (20 to 44 yr old) to approximately 5 to 6 dB among older subjects (65 yr or older). Among younger subjects, the effect of EI was somewhat stronger for men, whereas among older subjects the effect was somewhat stronger for women. Early age of onset for EI was associated with poorer hearing thresholds than late onset. The mean loss was close to 9 to 10 dB for all frequency ranges among older subjects reporting onset of EI before 2 yr of age. The mean loss was only about 4 dB among older subjects reporting onset of EI after 7 yr of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Reported EIs are associated with similar consequences in terms of reduced hearing across frequencies 0.25 to 8 kHz for male and female subjects. The observed effects are stronger among older than among younger subjects, perhaps because effects increase with age or possibly because EI affected the hearing more before 1940 than during subsequent decades. Reported early age of onset of EI increases the risk of a substantially reduced hearing level later in life.

Chronic suppurative otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss: Is there a correlation?

Traditionally, it has been accepted that chronic suppurative Otitis media is associated with a breakdown in meekanical conduction of sound leading to conductive hearing loss, On;the contrary, there are two schools of thought when it come, to the issue of cpchlear involvement leading to sensorineural hearing loss (SNIIL) in chronic suppura the Otitis media. The present study was undertaken to find out whether a sensorineural component exists in hearing loss associated with chronic suppurative otitis media, A sample of 100 patients of unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media was selected for the Study and their bone conduction thresholds Mere analyzed in relation to the duration of disease using audiometric data. A 24 per cent incidence of sensoineural hearing loss was found in this series, garticularly involving the higher frequencies. Moreover, the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss progressively increased with the increase in duration of chonic suppurative Ouns meadia.

Sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether chronic suppurative otitis media may cause sensorineural hearing loss.

METHODS

The files of 121 patients with unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media were reviewed in a retrospective study. Air conduction and bone conduction threshold averages were calculated over the speech frequencies (500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz). Thresholds at 4 kHz were examined separately but in a similar way. Multiple linear regression models were used to clarify the relationships between sensorineural hearing loss and chronic otitis media.

RESULTS

Chronic suppurative otitis media was seen to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. When age and normal side were corrected for, pure-tone threshold and bone conduction threshold at either the speech frequencies or at 4 kHz increased gradually according to the duration of the chronic suppurative otitis media. The threshold shift was more accentuated as age increased. The sensorineural hearing loss at 4 kHz seemed to be higher than that at the speech frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

The inner ear is vulnerable against chronic suppurative otitis media. Older age increases this vulnerability. The proximity of the sensory cells to the potential source of harm (inflamed middle ear) may mean higher exposure, as reflected by the fact that sensory cells processing higher frequencies are more seriously damaged.

Bone conduction impairment in chronic ear disease

The preoperative and postoperative bone conduction (BC) thresholds were prospectively investigated in 24 patients with chronic ear disease in the form of cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media, or adhesive otitis media. All underwent tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. Ossicular reconstruction was performed in 14, and the remaining 10 were still awaiting second-stage ossicular reconstruction at the time of this investigation. In each group, the postoperative results were compared with the preoperative results by the paired-samples t-test. In the ossicular reconstruction group, the results revealed a significant improvement in the postoperative BC thresholds, as compared with the preoperative BC thresholds, at 250, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz, with the largest mean improvement observed at 2,000 Hz. No significant improvement was observed at any frequency for the group without ossicular reconstruction. Postoperative improvement of at least 10 dB at 2 or more frequencies was observed in 71% of the ossicular reconstruction group, as compared with 0% of the group that did not undergo ossicular reconstruction. The results support the theory that the elevated BC thresholds of patients with chronic ear disease result from the elimination, due to disease, of the middle ear contribution (from the inertial ossicular component and ossicular resonance) to the BC response. The results also suggest that the middle ear contribution to the BC response is restored with ossicular reconstruction.

Improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the causes of bone conduction threshold impairment associated with middle ear pathoses and the factors influencing improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

The records of 98 consecutive patients with unilateral chronic otitis media who underwent tympanoplasty were reviewed. Pre-operatively, 15 dB or more depression of bone conduction threshold at least in 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was considered to be significant. Similarly in the postoperative period, 15 dB or more improvement of bone conduction threshold at least in 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was regarded as significant.

RESULTS

Twelve (12.5%) of 98 cases were found to have depressed bone conduction threshold; 6 of 12 cases had improved bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty.

CONCLUSION

In cases with cholesteatoma and extensive middle ear disease, successful results could be achieved after tympanoplasty disregarding the air-bone gap and deteriorated bone conduction threshold.

SIGNIFICANCE

Bone conduction threshold may improve after tympanoplasty.

Long-term observation on hearing change in patients with chronic otitis media

OBJECTIVE

Very few reports are available in the literature to clarify the natural long course of hearing change in an individual patient with chronic otitis media (COM). We reviewed hearing change in patients suffering from perforated COM without an operation.

METHODS

Eighty-seven ears of 70 patients had COM with tympanic perforation and were observed without an operation. The mean follow-up period was 10.7 years (5-22 years) and the mean age at the first examination was 51.3 years. To minimize the effect of aging, 23 patients with normal ear drums on the other side were further analyzed.

RESULTS

All 87 ears tended to show deterioration of hearing gradually under long observation. In 23 patients, hearing deterioration was 0.13 dB/year in the control side and 0.61 dB/year in the COM side (P < 0.02). Although elevation of bone conduction hearing level tended to be larger at high frequencies than at low and middle frequencies, there was no significant difference between COM and normal ears.

CONCLUSIONS

Air conduction hearing levels deteriorated with the passage of time and surgery is recommended at the early stage of COM to prevent progress of hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

Although many studies have demonstrated an association between chronic otitis media (COM) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), there still remains disagreement about the relationship. A retrospective study was conducted to examine the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss and chronic otitis media. Forty-one patients met the following criteria: unilateral COM and no history of head injury, meningitis or previous otological surgery. The differences in preoperative bone conduction threshold between diseased and control (contralateral normal) ear were statistically significant (P < 0.01) and varied from 5.24 to 9.02 dB across the frequency range. The effect of duration of disease on the degree of SNHL was also analysed but no correlation was found. The presence of cholesteatoma and/or ossicular erosion was not associated with a significantly increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss.

Bone conduction impairment in uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media

PURPOSE

To study the effect of uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media on bone conduction thresholds and its relationship to the disease type and duration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The differences in bone conduction thresholds of diseased and contralateral ears were compared in 218 patients with unilateral uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media. Pure tone audiometry was carried out after successful surgery on 93 patients.

RESULTS

The study showed bone conduction threshold elevations ranging in frequency from 9.2 to 14.1 dB in the diseased ears. Approximately 39% of the patients had an average difference of more than 10 dB for bone conduction, and 12% had an average difference of 20 dB or more. Significant relationships were found between threshold elevation and the disease type and its duration. Postoperative audiograms showed no significant improvement in the bone conduction thresholds in most of the tested patients.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that chronic otitis media may result in clinically significant bone conduction threshold elevations that should be considered when managing uncomplicated chronic suppurative otitis media.

Complications of Chronic Otitis Media

In summary, recent literature indicates that the complications of chronic otitis media have been decreasing. However, even with the advent of modern and more powerful antimicrobials and aggressive surgical eradication of disease, the morbidity and mortality are still high. Some complications may initially be quite obvious and some complications may be quite subtle. Therefore, the most important tools in making early diagnosis are careful history and physical examination, and a high index of suspicion for impending complications.

Audiometric findings in children with chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma

Chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma (CSOMWC) is usually associated with an increase in air conduction thresholds. However, only a few investigations reported on loss of cochlear function in the pediatric population. We undertook a prospective study in order to further delineate air and bone conduction levels in children with CSOMWC and the possible relationship between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and other clinical characteristics that might reflect the extent of disease. Eighty-seven children were enrolled, 40 of which had bilateral disease. Hence, the total number of diseased ears tested was 127. Audiometric studies were performed three days after achieving a 'dry' ear following medical treatment. We found no statistically significant differences between the bone conduction threshold tested in ears with CSOMWC and control ears. This was also the case in 47 children with unilateral disease when cochlear function was investigated in the diseased and uninvolved ear in the same patient. Clinical correlation showed no association between age, sex, duration of otorrhea and presence of granulation or polyps and the degree of cochlear loss. Our study shows that CSOMWC in children has little effect on cochlear function.

Endotoxic damage to the stria vascularis: the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss secondary to otitis media?

This study presents animal experiments on endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides: LPS) damage to the inner ear with special reference to the stria vascularis. The experimental group animals (albino guinea pigs) were injected with LPS into the perilymphatic space. Pyrogen-free saline (PFS) was injected into the control group. Strial structural evaluation and hearing tests were carried out before and one, three and five days after treatment. In PFS-treated (control) ears, no significant change was found either in hearing or structure. However, thresholds of N1/P1 were elevated and latencies prolonged in LPS-treated ears. They had severe strial damage mainly to the cellular organelles. The mitochondria became swollen with a disordered, broken, degenerated or absent crest. Secondary lysosomes and autophagosomes increased in number with the presence of medulative inclusions. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase reactant was obviously diminished. It is concluded that LPS-induced strial ototoxicity produces ion imbalance, causing changes in endolymph composition and energy failure in the organ of Corti and is also responsible for the pathogenesis of inner ear sequelae secondary to otitis media.

Effects of otitis media on extended high-frequency hearing in children

Extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing was studied in children with and without histories of chronic or recurrent otitis media (OM). The EHF thresholds were found to have good test-retest repeatability. Children with OM histories had poorer EHF hearing than children without OM histories. The EHF hearing in OM children appeared to be related to OM severity. Children with residual tympanometric abnormalities had poorer EHF hearing than OM children with normal middle ear function. The results suggest evidence for middle ear and inner ear components of EHF hearing losses in children with OM.

Magnesium levels in middle ear fluids and sera in otitis media with effusion

Middle ear fluids (MEE) and matched sera (S) were obtained from 50 patients with serous otitis media and magnesium levels were measured to determine if magnesium concentration was distinctly varied in otitis media with effusion (OME). The MEE/S ratio was considerably raised along with transient sensory hearing loss in chronic OME when compared with acute OME. The higher magnesium level found in the MEE implies that it is probably produced locally by the middle ear mucosa and may contribute to the hearing loss found. We also regard the MEE/S ratio as a prognostic factor in OME.

Surgery vs. natural course of chronic otitis media. Long-term hearing evaluation

The present paper investigates the hearing function in chronic otitis media vs. tympanoplasty in 41 patients with bilateral chronic otitis media, operated on unilaterally. The auditory evaluation was performed immediately before surgery and at a follow-up time varying from 1 to 14 years (mean = 5 years). Results were expressed in terms of relative gain (in respect to preoperative hearing levels) and total gain (in comparison with the contralateral ear). A progressive reduction of the hearing threshold as a function of time was observed both in non-operated and operated ears. The comparison of the threshold shifts between the two ears indicated that the long-term functional results of tympanoplasty can be considered quite satisfactory.