Sensorineural hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is known to occur in various types of oti tis media. Although the mechanism by which SNHL develops in association wit h otitis media with effusion (OME) is unknown, several hypotheses have been advocated up to now. We reviewed the clinical records of children with oti tis media with effusion (OME) to reveal the association with sensorineural hearing loss. The material consisted of 71 children (119 ears) who were dia gnosed as having OME and gave reliable audiograms in our clinic during an 1 1 month period from February 1997 through January 1998. From these cases th ose which showed bone conduction loss of 25 dB or higher at any one of the frequencies of 250 through 4 kHz were selected and considered to be cases o f SNHL. Eigth cases (9%) which had temporary threshold shift (TTS) or perma nent threshold shift (PTS) were considered to be etiologically related to O ME. The clinical course in each of these cases with SNHL was reviewed and e valuated in detail. We noted that all children with TTS improved completely . The result of this study indicates that we have to be aware of a possible development of SNHL during the course of OME. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.