LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF VENTILATION TUBES FOR PERSISTENT OTITIS-MEDIA WITH EFFUSION IN CHILDREN

The otological, auditory and developmental effects of treatment with v entilation tubes were studied in a sample of 7-8-year-old Dutch childr en screened for otitis media with effusion (OME) serially at preschool age. Children treated with ventilation tubes were matched retrospecti vely for OME history, sex, and age with children who were not treated surgically. At the age of 7-8, abnormalities of the tympanic membrane were more prevalent in treated than in untreated ears. No significant differences were found in middle ear function and hearing in both grou ps. Some positive effects of early surgical intervention on specific d evelopmental measures were found.