Otitis media with effusion and academic attainment

Abstract

In 1968 an investigation was started into the middle ear function of a group of 80 children aged approximately 5 years. Serial acoustic impedance measurements were performed at closer than monthly intervals over the first full year of their full time education and at increasingly wider intervals thereafter for a period of 10 years. In 1985 the academic attainment levels of the young persons was, where possible, ascertained by questionnaire, supported by search of the school records. For 64 subjects complete data were available and for these, correlations were sought between a measure of academic rating and various measures of middle ear function during the first one or two years of full time education. No correlations were found to support the hypothesis that middle ear dysfunction during the early years of schooling is causally related to poor academic achievement.