Characteristics of the wideband absorbance of acoustic energy in children (3–7 years old) with otitis media with effusion

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the wideband absorbance (WBA) of acoustic energy in children (3–7 years old) with otitis media with effusion (OME) under environmental ear-canal air pressure and tympanometric peak pressure and to determine the diagnostic value of the acoustic energy absorption rate (AR) in OME at different frequencies. MethodsA total of 178 children aged 3–7 years were enrolled in the study between April and October 2018. They were separated into two groups: those with middle ear effusion were placed in the OME group (n = 80; 136 ears), while those without OME (n = 98; 182 ears) were placed in the control group. A WBA test was performed on the children in both groups under environmental ear-canal pressure and tympanometric peak pressure to analyze the changing characteristics of the AR value within the 0.226–8 kHz range. ResultsUnder ambient ear-canal air pressure, the AR of the OME group in each frequency band was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). Under tympanometric peak pressure, the AR of the OME group in most frequencies was also significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01) except in the 2–2.5 kHz range. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was highest at 0.47–1.03 kHz: 0.96 and 0.94 at ambient ear-canal pressure and tympanometric peak pressure, respectively. Of the single frequency points, those at 0.65, 0.67, 0.69, 0.71, and 0.73 kHz had a higher AUROC value (0.96–0.97) under both ambient ear-canal air pressure and tympanometric peak pressure. The difference in the AUROC values of the two pressure conditions was not statistically significant (P < 0.01). ConclusionOverall, WBA is an effective method of diagnosing OME in children. The frequency band with the most predictive value of AR for OME is 0.47–1.03 kHz. Middle ear effusion can be quickly identified by observing AR values in this frequency range, which provides a diagnostic basis for OME.