[Detection of the Presence of Middle-ear Effusion with Wideband Absorbance Tympanometry]

[Overview of modern methods for the diagnosis of exudative otitis media]

Modern methods for diagnosis of exudative otitis media (EOM) have great potential, however, the problem of diagnosis of EOM is still relevant. The article describes the methods of modern diagnostics that are widely used in the daily practice of an otolaryngologist. The basic principles, advantages and disadvantages of generally accepted diagnostic methods for EOM are presented. The method of optical coherence tomography (OCT) is described as a method of studying biological tissues, which is used in many fields of medicine. Information is provided on the possibilities of OCT in the diagnosis of diseases of the ENT organs and, in particular, of the middle ear. The results of studies of the tympanic cavity structures in various inflammatory conditions, the possibilities of intrasurgery use of OCT, as well as the possibilities and perspectives of introducing OCT into the practice of an otorhinolaryngologist in the diagnosis of exudative otitis media are described.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cochlear function impairment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with middle ear acoustic transference and cochlear function.

METHODS

Male individuals with and without mild, moderate, and severe OSA according to standard criteria of full polysomnography and no co-morbidities were studied. Subjects with BMI ≥40 kg/m², present or past treatment for OSA, with heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, use of chronic medications, and previous history of risk for hearing loss were excluded. All subjects were submitted to full polysomnography, evaluation of wideband acoustic immittance by energy of absorbance (EA), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE).

RESULTS

We studied 38 subjects (age 35.8 ± 7.2 years, BMI 28.8 ± 3.8 kg/m²) divided into no OSA (n = 10, age 33.6 ± 6.4 years, BMI 26.9 ± 4.1 kg/m²), mild (n = 11, age 32.8 ± 2.9 years, BMI 28.5 ± 3.5 kg/m²), moderate (n = 8, age 34.1 ± 6.8 years, BMI 29.6 ± 3.3 kg/m²), and severe OSA (n = 9, age 41.2 ± 9.2 years, BMI 30.5 ± 3.8 kg/m²). EA was similar between groups. In contrast, patients with severe OSA presented significantly lower DPOAE amplitudes when compared to the control, mild, and moderate OSA groups (p ≤ 0.03, for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

Acoustic transference function of middle ear is similar in adults with and without OSA. Severe OSA is independently associated with cochlear function impairment in patients with no significant co-morbidities.