Assessment of hearing loss in tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

Background Tympanic membrane perforation is a common problem and causes hearing disability, and many factors can affect the degree of hearing loss. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the degree of hearing loss in relation with the size and site of tympanic membrane perforation. Patients and methods This prospective study was conducted at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital during the period from February 2015 to February 2016 on 75 patients (93 ears) with tympanic membrane perforations. The size and site of perforations were evaluated under the microscope and classified according to the size (small, moderate, and large), and the site (anteroinferior, anterosuperior, posteroinferior, and posterosuperior quadrants). Hearing loss was measured in each case with pure-tone audiometry and its relation with these parameters was analyzed. Results There was an increase in hearing loss with the increase in the size of perforation. Perforation locations had an impact on hearing loss; this was statistically significant, especially in the posteroinferior quadrant if compared with other quadrants, as P value was 0.037. Conclusion The size and site of tympanic membrane perforation had a significant effect on the magnitude of hearing loss.