Predictive Accuracy of Wideband Absorbance at Ambient and Tympanometric Peak Pressure Conditions in Identifying Children with Surgically Confirmed Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

Background: Wideband absorbance (WBA) measured at ambient pressure (WBAA) does not directly accountfor middle ear pressure effects. On the other hand, WBA measured at tympanometric peak pressure(TPP) (WBATPP) may compensate for the middle ear pressure effects. To date, there are no studies thathave compared WBAA and WBATPP in ears with surgically confirmed otitis media with effusion (OME).<br />Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive accuracy of WBAA and WBATPP inears with OME.<br />Research Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.<br />Study Sample: A total of 60 ears from 38 healthy children (mean age = 6.5 years, SD = 1.84 years) and60 ears from 38 children (mean age = 5.5 years, SD = 3.3 years) with confirmed OME during myringotomywere included in this study.<br />Data Collection and Analysis: Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance.The predictive accuracy of WBAA and WBATPP was determined using receiver operating characteristics(ROC) analyses.<br />Results: Both WBAA and WBATPP were reduced in ears with OME compared with that in healthy ears.The area under the ROC (AROC) curve was 0.92 for WBAA at 1.5 kHz, whereas that for WBATPP at 1.25kHz was 0.91. In comparison, the AROC for 226-Hz tympanometry based on the static acoustic admittance(Ytm) measure was 0.93.<br />Conclusions: Both WBAA and WBATPP showed high and similar test performance, but neither test performedsignificantly better than 226-Hz tympanometry for detection of surgically confirmed OME.<br />