Interaction between middle and inner ears in otitis media

Abstract

Middle ear infection is one of the most common childhood diseases that causes inner ear pathology, resulting in hearing loss and communication disorders. The presence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in the extended high frequency range (8–20 kHz) in children with otitis media histories has been well established.Pathological changes of the cochlear lateral wall and the organ of Corti have been reported in animal models of experimental otitis media (OM). The results of inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the middle ear suggest that bacterial OM can produce damage of both outer and inner hair cells. This damage may be a significant factor in temporary and permanent SNHL associated with bacterial OM. Bacteria, bacterial products and inflammatory mediators crossing the round window membrane are known to cause structural as well as biochemical changes of inner ear tissues and lead to the functional damage of the inner ear through the disruption of inner ear homeostasis and auditory transduction syst...