HEARING-LOSS DUE TO MYRINGOTOMY AND TUBE PLACEMENT AND THE ROLE OF PREOPERATIVE AUDIOGRAMS

Background: Postoperative complications of myringotomy and tube placem ent often include otorrhea, tympanosclerosis, and tympanic membrane pe rforation. However, the incidence of sensorineural or conductive heari ng loss has not been documented. Recent efforts to curb the use of pre operative audiometric testing requires documentation of this incidence . Objective: To define the incidence of conductive and sensorineural h earing loss associated with myringotomy and tube placement. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 550 patients undergoing m yringotomy and tube placement was performed. A total of 520 patients u ndergoing 602 procedures (1204 ears), including myringotomy and tube p lacement, were assessed for preoperative and postoperative sensorineur al and conductive hearing loss. Results: No patient developed a postop erative sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. All patients resolve d their conductive hearing loss after myringotomy and tube placement. There was a 1.3% incidence of preesisting sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions: The incidence of sensorineural or conductive hearing loss after myringotomy and tube placement is negligible and the use of pre operative audiometric evaluation may be unnecessary in selected patien ts, but further studies need to be done to corroborate this small data set.