Effects of otitis media with effusion on hearing in the first 3 years of life

Hearing sensitivity was examined prospectively in young children as a Funct ion of otitis media with effusion (OME) status in Years 1, 2, and 3. Hearin g and OME status were sampled bimonthly from 5 to 36 months of age. Behavio ral thresholds were obtained at 4 test frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 40 00 Hz) using visual reinforcement audiometry and conditioned play audiometr y techniques. The majority of children's audiograms were obtained using a c omputer-controlled test procedure. Thresholds for the test frequencies were averaged for each visit and then averaged across all visits in each year. Reference values were developed for infants and children in Years 1, 2, and 3 who were OME free. Results reveal that children who were classified as b ilaterally OME positive in Years 1, 2, and 3 had significantly poorer heari ng than children classified as bilaterally OME free in each of these time p eriods. There was no difference in hearing as a function of gender, socioec onomic status, or birth-risk status.