Audiological Findings in Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children (1 to 12 years)

Abstract

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children and can lead to audiological complications, including hearing loss. Understanding the prevalence and nature of these complications is crucial for early intervention.Objective: To determine the audiological findings in children aged 1 to 12 years with upper respiratory tract infections.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital and Children's Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, over six months (July 2023 to December 2023). A total of 82 children with URTIs were assessed using otoscopy, tympanometry, and pure tone audiometry. Non-probability purposive sampling was used, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was collected from parents.Results: Among the 82 children, 75.6% had bilateral hearing loss, 61.0% had a Type B tympanogram, and 43.9% had conductive hearing loss. Mild to moderate hearing loss was observed in 58.5% of the children, while 18.3% reported tinnitus.Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of conductive hearing loss among children with URTIs, emphasizing the need for early audiological evaluation and management.