Average Air Conduction Threshold Research Articles

The experience of the tympanoplasty in Volyn region

Introduction: In Volyn middle ear microsurgical interventions were first performed in the early 60s in the previous century. Stapedioplasty, different types of myringoplasty and cholesteatoma middle ear surgery were introduced in the mid 70s. In 1983 a drill as a replacement to a chisel and a mallet, which were traditionally used to perform the bone stage of the ear surgery in the USSR, was introduced by Shchuruk Z.S. Aim: to share the experience of the development of otosurgery in Volyn and the results of the middle ear microsurgery operations in the Department of Otolaryngology in Volyn regional clinical hospital. Materials and methods: For the last twenty years (from 1999 to 2019) 1008 middle ear surgeries which can be divided into three main types: canal-wall-down tympanoplasty – 608 operations, canal-wall-up tympanoplasty – 94 ones and 306 myringoplasty were performed in the Department of Otolaryngology in Volyn regional clinical hospital. In addition, 35 mastoidectomies for acute and latent mastoiditis, 33 extended mastoidectomies with otogenic intracranial complications, 27 extended radical surgeries with otogenic intracranial complications and 560 tympanostomy tube insertion procedure were performed. Results: Complete elimination of air-bone gap after myringoplasty was observed in 20% of patients, the airbone gap in about 80% of patients was about 8dB. After a canal-wall-down tympanoplasty in the late postoperative period the average air conduction thresholds in 35,4% of the patients was less than 30dB. 92% of our patients had a complete wound healing and a positive morphological result in the early postoperative period after different types of tympanoplasty. Conclusions 1. Having evaluated the results of microsurgery operations for the last 20 years (1008 operations), we noted the high rate of positive clinical and functional outcomes. 2. The experience of Volyn otolaryngologists who began to perform middle ear surgeries in the 60-70s of the previous century was transferred to younger generation of otolaryngologists. 3. The performance of tympanoplasty demands in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of temporal bone and a burning desire to perform these complicated surgery interventions.

The Use of a Novel, Nonsurgical Bone Conduction Hearing Aid System for the Treatment of Conductive Hearing Loss

Conventional bone conduction hearing aid solutions often require a cumbersome retention system such as a headband or cap. This study aims to determine if a novel, nonsurgical bone conduction aid utilizing an adhesive attachment over the mastoid is equivalent to the conventional bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) for the management of conductive hearing loss. Prospective, single-subject randomized, crossover trial. Tertiary referral center. Eleven adults and 1 child between 11 and 70 years of age with unilateral conductive hearing loss were enrolled. Patients had their baseline hearing assessed and were randomized to receive either the novel device or BCHA headband system. Hearing loss etiologies were varied and included cholesteatoma, otosclerosis, chronic otitis media, and previous head and neck surgery. Patients had their baseline hearing assessed and trialled both the novel device or the BCHA headband system. Patients were randomly assigned one device which was worn for 2 weeks followed by a 2-week trial with the alternate device. Pure-tone thresholds and speech discrimination in quiet and noise were tested and patients also completed the short form of the Speech Spatial and Quality of Hearing (SSQ) questionnaire. The mean unaided 4 frequency pure-tone average (PTA) air conduction threshold was 53.9 dB, bone conduction was 11.9 dB, and the mean air bone gap was 42 dB in the target ear. One patient with an adhesive skin reaction could not complete the protocol. Aided PTA and threshold testing between 250 Hz to 8000 Hz showed statistically equivalent results between both devices. The aided CNC word score, signal-to-noise ratio, and SSQ scores were also equivalent between both devices. The novel bone conduction aid demonstrates equivalent performance to the conventional BCHA headband solution. The novel device should be considered an alternative option where the cosmetic and comfort issues of a headband worn device are a concern.

Concurrent Occurrence of Congenital Ossicular Anomaly and Localized Cholesteatoma: Series of 10 Cases

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the clinical features, managements and outcomes of a rare coexistence of congenital ossicular anomaly and localized cholesteatoma. A literature review on these cases and each congenital disorder is also presented. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients diagnosed with congenital ossicular anomaly with concurrent localized cholesteatoma from 2008 to 2017. Clinical data of these patients were collected. Results: A total of 10 patients were identified. All patients presented with unilateral hearing loss. Pure-tone audiometry showed conductive hearing loss in all affected ears with an average air conduction (AC) threshold of 59 dB. High-resolution computed tomography scans of the temporal bone diagnosed ossicular anomaly for 90% (9/10); however, only 50% (5/10) had a diagnosis of localized cholesteatoma. A transcanal exploratory tympanotomy under the microscope was performed to discover whether the localized tiny-sized cholesteatoma around the ossicular chain did not have direct contact with the ossicular chain, which could be diagnosed as congenital cholesteatoma. We removed the localized cholesteatoma and reconstructed the ossicular chain in each patient. All localized cholesteatomas were found in the posterior-superior quadrant of the middle ear. Ossicular chain anomalies were associated with the incus and/or the stapes in all cases. Hearing improvement was achieved in each of the 6 patients who were followed up postoperatively, with an average AC threshold of 35 dB. The clinical features of congenital ossicular anomaly with concurrent congenital cholesteatoma were compared with those of each congenital disorder. The pathogenesis of each condition was also discussed. Conclusions: Congenital ossicular anomaly with concurrent congenital cholesteatoma is rare. It shares similar clinical features with congenital ossicular anomaly occurring alone, therefore awareness should be raised for a possible concurrent congenital cholesteatoma which was easy to miss in the diagnosis (50%) by the radiologist. A patient’s hearing level can be improved by removal of the cholesteatoma and reconstruction of the ossicular chain. Localized cholesteatoma does not usually show residuals or recurrence.

The effect of mobile phone use on hearing on pure tone audiometry

Introduction: Mobile phones as fastest means of communication, indispensable for daily life globally. The widespread use has given rise to concerns about the potential health hazards of its electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. The present study was conducted to investigate the adverse effects of mobile phone usage on auditory functions and to study the pattern of hearing threshold in mobile phone users. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the effect of mobile phone on average pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold of the person and to study the changes in the pure tone threshold at high frequencies such as 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz among the students with prolonged exposure to mobile phones. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 medical and paramedical students who have been using mobile phones for one year or more, divided in two groups. Group A- less than one hour per day and GroupB- more than one hour per day. The effect of mobile phones on the PTA threshold in the exposed ear and the nonexposed ear was also assessed. Results: The study shows that there is a significant difference in average air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) hearing threshold among the exposed and the nonexposed ears (P < 0.05) especially at high frequency. A significant rise of both AC and BC threshold in group B more than group A also noted in this study. Conclusion: The study conducted shows changes in the hearing threshold with mobile usage. The technology along with comfort also brings some hazards, hence to limit the duration of usage of mobile phones.

Hearing Preservation With the Use of Flex20 and Flex24 Electrodes in Patients With Partial Deafness.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of electrode length on hearing preservation (HP) in Partial Deafness Treatment–Electrical Complement (PDT-EC) subjects.Study Design:Retrospective case review.Setting:Tertiary referral center.Patients:Twenty-three PDT-EC patients (with preoperative air-conduction thresholds ≤30 dB up to 500 Hz) were divided into two groups: Flex20 electrode (Med-EL GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) (12 patients) and Flex24 electrode (Med-EL GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria) (11 patients).Interventions:All participants were subjected to minimally invasive cochlear implantation using the round window approach.Main Outcome Measure(s):Pure tone audiometry (125–8000 Hz) was performed preoperatively and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. HP was established using the HEARRING group formula. Speech understanding was assessed preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively.Results:Analysis of HP for every individual indicates that more than half the patients with Flex20 and Flex24 had complete HP at 6 months follow-up. None of the patients from either group had complete loss of hearing. At activation, average air-conduction thresholds for low frequencies (125–500 Hz) were slightly better for the short electrode (M = 29.03) than for the long (M = 39.10) but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.067). The effect of electrode (Flex20 versus Flex24) was not significant in terms of pure tone audiometry and speech recognition at long-term follow-up.Conclusions:In the early postoperative period, complete HP was possible in a majority of patients from both groups, but slightly better HP outcomes were achieved by Flex20. In the long term, the length of the electrodes does not affect the degree of HP or speech understanding.

Associations Between Vision, Hearing, and Olfactory Impairment With Handgrip Strength.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the cross-sectional associations between sensory impairments (vision, hearing, and/or olfactory loss) and handgrip strength. Method: In the Blue Mountains Eye Study, 947 participants aged 65+ years had handgrip strength measured using a dynamometer. Visual impairment was defined as visual acuity <20/40 (better eye), and hearing impairment as average pure-tone air conduction threshold >25 dBHL (500-4,000 Hz). Olfaction was measured using the San Diego Odor Identification Test. Results: Marginally significant associations between sensory impairment and handgrip strength were observed after multivariable adjustment. For example, women with two or three sensory impairments had lower adjusted mean handgrip strength (17.47 ± 0.5 kg) versus women who had no sensory loss (18.59 ± 0.3 kg; p = .06) or only one sensory impairment (18.58 ± 0.3 kg; p = .05), respectively. No significant associations were observed in men. Discussion: Women who had multiple sensory impairments had reduced muscle strength as indicated by ~1.1 kg lower mean handgrip strength.

Endoscopic Transcanal Autologous Cartilage Ossiculoplasty.

This was a randomized clinical trial, of thirty-two patients undergoing endoscopic ossiculoplasty, as a second look surgery, at 6months after primary endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery, in a duration of 9years. All patients underwent trans-canal endoscopic ossiculoplasty under local anesthesia. Prosthesis used were (1) Titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) in fourteen, (2) Titanium total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) in six and (3) Autologous cartilage in twelve cases. Puretone audiometry (PTA) were done preoperatively and postoperatively at 2months and 3years. Out of twenty-four cases, which presented only with stapes superstructure; fourteen underwent PORP ossiculoplasty and twelve had cartilage short columella ossiculoplasty (SCC). Out of eight cases, which had only mobile stapes footplate, six underwent TORP ossiculoplasty and only two underwent long columella cartilage ossiculoplasty (LCC). Pre-operative average air conduction threshold (AC) of pure tone audiometry were 45.47dB (PORP), 66.10dB (TORP), 49.15dB (SCC) and 59.15dB (LCC) groups. The post-operative AC at 2months were respectively 27.37dB (PORP), 45.83dB (TORP), 29.99dB (SCC) and 39.15dB (LCC) groups. The gap of air and bone conduction (ABG) at 2months post-operative stage were 19.05dB (PORP), 20dB (TORP), 20.32dB (SCC) and 39.15dB (LCC) groups and not much changed after 3years. Extrusion occurred in three PORPs and four TORPs at 4-8years after surgery. Four cases were lost to follow up. No extrusion occurred in cartilage ossiculoplasty. Trans-canal endoscopic autologous cartilage ossiculoplasty shows encouraging results comparable to titanium prosthesis in repairing ossicles in cholesteatoma disease.

Outcomes of same-day bilateral endoscopic tympanoplasty

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of simultaneous bilateral endoscopic for tympanoplasty in patients with bilateral chronic suppurative otitis media. Method:Fifteen patients (30 ears) with bilateral chronic suppurative otitis media who underwent bilateral endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty on the same day were enrolled in this study. The ear with worse-hearing was selected as the first operation side, the contralateral ear as the second one. The operation group consisted of 22 ears of Type 1 tympanoplasty, 5 ears of Type 2 tympanoplasty and 3 ears of Type 3 tympanoplasty. All second sides(15 ears) underwent Type 1 tympanoplasty. The cartilage-perichondrium graft was harvested from the tragal of the first side and was cut in two halves which could be used for the both sides. The graft success and hearing improvement were evaluated at the postoperative 6th month according to the follow up results of the endoscopic image and the pure-tone audiometry. Result:The graft take rate was 96.7%(27/30) without any retraction pockets or displaced grafts. The graft take rate of the first side was 93.3%(14/15), and the one of the second side was 100.0%(15/15). The average air conduction thresholds were (50.9±9.1) dB HL preoperatively and (32.0±6.0) dB HL postoperatively(P<0.01). The average air-bone gap overall improved from (30.2±7.9) dB HL preoperatively to (13.7±6.0) dB HL postoperatively(P<0.01). Conclusion:Bilateral same-day endoscopic tympanoplasty are safe and cost effective in appropriately selected patients. It can offer favorable out-comes in selected patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.

Visual and hearing impairment and retirement in older adults: A population-based cohort study

ObjectiveImpaired vision and hearing are common among older adults and have been shown to reduce functional independence and to reduce quality of life. This cohort study investigated the cross-sectional and temporal associations between objectively measured dual sensory impairment (DSI) and retirement from employment. Study design2409 Blue Mountains Eye Study participants aged 55+ years at baseline were included for analyses. Main outcome measuresVisual impairment was defined as visual acuity less than 20/40 (better eye), and hearing impairment as average pure-tone air conduction threshold >25dB HL (500–4000Hz, better ear). Employment status was questioned at each examination over 10 years. ResultsAt baseline, 650 (27.0%) were employed and 1759 (73.0%) were retired. Cross-sectional analysis showed that participants with moderate to severe hearing loss, compared with those with normal hearing, had greater odds of being retired (multivariable-adjusted OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.05–3.66). Participants presenting with concurrent visual impairment and moderate to severe hearing loss versus participants with no sensory loss had a significantly lower mean retirement age, 57.1 versus 58.7 years (multivariable-adjusted p-value=0.04). Participants with any hearing loss at baseline had significantly higher odds of being retired by the 10-year follow-up (age-sex adjusted OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.00–3.30); this became marginally non-significant after adjusting for all other covariates (multivariable-adjusted OR 1.74; 95% CI 0.95–3.17). No associations were observed between DSI and the incidence of retirement. ConclusionsSensory impairment in older adults was independently associated with the decision to retire.

A study on the effect of prolonged mobile phone use on pure tone audiometry thresholds of medical students of Sikkim.

Introduction:Mobile phones have become indispensable for daily activities, and people are exposed to them from an early age. There is, however, concern about the harmful effect of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the mobile phones.Objective:The objective of the study was to study the effect of mobile phone on average pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold of the person and to study the changes in the pure tone threshold at high frequencies such as 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz among the students with prolonged exposure to mobile phones.Methodology:A cross-sectional study was conducted among the medical students who have been using mobile phones for the past 5 years. The effect of mobile phones on the PTA threshold in the exposed ear and the nonexposed ear was assessed.Results:The study shows that there is a significant difference in average air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) hearing threshold among the exposed and the nonexposed ears (P < 0.05). A significant rise of both AC and BC threshold at individual frequencies between the exposed and the nonexposed ear is also noted in this study.Conclusion:The study conducted shows changes in the hearing threshold of the exposed ear when compared with the nonexposed ear. There are however lot of unanswered questions which provide an interesting avenue for further research. Till concrete evidence is available the only feasible way to control its exposure is to limit the duration of usage of mobile phones.

Study of Various Prognostic Factors Affecting Successful Myringoplasty in a Tertiary Care Centre.

Introduction Myringoplasty is a commonly performed otologic surgery. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of prognostic factors like - size, site of perforation, status of operating ear, approach, status of contralateral ear, experience of surgeon, primary or revision myringoplasty, and smoking in graft uptake, as well as to evaluate the hearing results after myringoplasty. Methods This is a prospective study. We included in our sample patients aged over 13 years with a Tubotympanic Chronic Otitis Media diagnosis. The patients underwent preoperative evaluation and Pure Tone Audiogram within one week prior to surgery. We performed myringoplasty using temporalis fascia graft with conventional underlay technique. We evaluated postoperative graft uptake and various factors related to the study and did a Pure Tone Audiogram at one year after surgery. Results The graft uptake rate after myringoplasty was 83.1% at one year in 219 patients. Graft uptake with normal opposite ear was 88.2%, and with Tubotympanic Chronic Otitis Media was 75% (statistically significant). We found no statistically significant difference in graft uptake results with other factors. We calculated hearing results of 132 patients with normal ossicular status who underwent myringoplasty. The average Air Conduction Threshold improvement was 11.44dB ( p < 0.001) and the average Air-Bone Gap closure was 8.89dB, highly statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Diseased contralateral ear was a statistically significant poor prognostic factor for graft uptake after myringoplasty. Other factors studied were not statistically significant determining factor for graft uptake. Hearing improves significantly after myringoplasty if the ossicles are normal.

One-stage tympanic cavity ventilation tube placement in canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy

Objective:To research the clinical application of tympanic cavity ventilation tube placement in canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy. Method:There were 52 patients with otitis media received canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy. We placed ventilation tube in posterior hypotympanum during the surgery. After surgery, all patients were followed up in 12 days, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. The ventilation tubes were withdrew 6 months later, and then the hearing level and tympanic cavity status was evaluated after another half year. Result:All cases were followed up at least 1 year after surgery. Forty-four patients' tubes were removed 6 months later, but other 8 tubes had been extruded within 1 to 3 months. After 1 year, all 52 cases of ears were dry; 39 patients' tympanic membranes were stable, the postoperative complications included tympanic membrane retraction in 7 cases, middle ear effusion in 4 cases, and tympanic membrane perforation at anterior-inferior quadrant in 2 cases; CT examination indicated that 39 patients' aeration between tympanic cavity and Eustachian tube bony portion was normal, 9 patients' tympanic cavity aeration was smaller, and 4 patients' cavity was obstructed; 52 patients' average air conduction thresholds were 12.5 dB lower than that of preoperation. Conclusion:One-stage tympanic cavity ventilation tube placement is a simple, safe and effective method in canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy for middle ear diseases with Eustachian tube severe stenosis or obstruction in bony portion.

Hearing and vision impairment and the 5-year incidence of falls in older adults.

concurrent vision and hearing loss are common in older adults; however, epidemiological data on their relationship with the incidence of falls are lacking. we assessed the association between dual sensory impairment (DSI) and incidence of falls. We examined the influence of self-perceived hearing handicap and hearing aid use and risk of falls. a population-based, cohort study of participants followed over 5 years. Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia. one thousand four hundred and seventy-eight participants aged 55 and older at baseline were included in longitudinal analyses. visual impairment was defined as presenting or best-corrected visual acuity less than 20/40 (better eye), and hearing impairment as average pure-tone air conduction threshold >25 dB HL (500-4,000 Hz, better ear). The shortened version of the hearing handicap inventory for the elderly was administered. Incident falls were assessed over the 12 months before each visit. Cognitive impairment was determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination. five-year incidence of falls was 10.4%. Participants with severe self-perceived hearing handicap versus no hearing handicap had increased risk of incident falls, multivariable-adjusted OR 1.93 (95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.02-3.64). Hearing aid users versus non-users had 75% increased likelihood of incident falls. Participants with co-existing best-corrected visual impairment and mild hearing loss (>25 to ≤40 dB HL) had higher odds of incident falls, OR 2.19 (95% CI 1.03-4.67). After excluding persons with cognitive impairment, this association did not persist. these epidemiological data show that DSI in older adults could significantly increase their risk of falling.

Congenital Microtia Treated at Sapporo Medical University Hospital: Clinical Characteristics and Associated Anomalies.

Seventy-three children who underwent plastic surgery for their external ear malformations between December 2010 and May 2013 at the Sapporo Medical University Hospital were evaluated. The predominance of right-sided malformation (62%) in males (71%) was similar to that reported previously, but the number of bilateral cases (9.3%) was lower than that in previous reports. We classified patients' ears using Marx's classification. The pure-tone average (average air conduction thresholds measured at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz) was used as the representative value for the hearing level, which was compared with a patient's Marx classification. We evaluated the facial nerve position using high-resolution computed tomography scans. A thorough understanding of anatomical variations and complications, as well as performing appropriate treatments, is required for otolaryngologists to effectively manage congenital microtia.

Flexible Fiber Optic Carbon-Dioxide Laser Assisted Stapedotomy in Otosclerosis.

Objective. The aim of this study is to analyze the hearing and vestibular outcome of patients with otosclerosis who have been operated on by fiber optic flexible CO2 laser. Study Design. A preliminary and retrospective study was conducted in 30 patients with otosclerosis. Results. Comparative analysis of average air conduction thresholds (53.41 ± 11.81 dB versus 26.37 ± 11.04 dB) and air-bone gaps (34 ± 9.92 dB versus 12.03 ± 6.02 dB) before and after the surgery were statistically significant (<0.001). Air-bone gap closed within 10 dB or less in 50% of the cases and within 20 dB or less in 90% of the cases. Average bone conduction threshold after the surgery (16.68 ± 12.00 dB) was better than that before the surgery (20.13 ± 8.59). However, no statistically significant difference was found (p = 0.213). One patient had tinnitus after surgery. None of the patients had severe sickness or vomiting due to surgery. Eleven patients (36.6%) had very mild nystagmus beating toward the counter-lateral side. All patients were stable at 10 days after surgery. Conclusion. The results indicate that fiber optic flexible CO2 laser provides the surgeon with a very safe and precise surgical instrumentation even in cases with extensive and obliterative otosclerosis.

Round window application of an active middle ear implant (AMEI) system in congenital oval window atresia

Conclusion: Application of the Vibrant Soundbridge to the round window (RW) membrane can be utilized as an efficient therapy for congenital oval window (OW) atresia. Objective: To report the surgical technique and auditory outcome of an active middle ear implant (AMEI) system used in patients with congenital OW atresia. Methods: Nine subjects with congenital OW atresia (six males and three females, ranging in age from 5.5 to 25 years, average 12.5 years) were implanted with an AMEI (Vibrant Soundbridge) at the round window (RW-Vibroplasty). Five cases were diagnosed as having isolated congenital OW atresia while four patients presented with combined external/middle ear malformation. Results: An improvement of 30 dB in average pure-tone air conduction thresholds (0.5–4 kHz) was achieved, with the high frequencies showing greater results. The subjects achieved postoperative speech recognition scores of 80–100% on the Computerized Mandarin Speech Test System (CMSTS) sentence test. Bone conduction thresholds were confirmed as stable in all subjects postoperatively. Decline in auditory benefit was noticed in two subjects, who then underwent revision surgery. One of these revision surgery patients then experienced stable hearing recovery, while the other patient’s hearing declined.

A retrospective study on post-operative hearing of middle ear cholesteatoma patients with labyrinthine fistula

Conclusions: There is no significant change in bone conduction threshold after operation, so the tympanoplasty can be done to maintain hearing when conditions allow. Objective: To study the impact of surgical treatment on hearing of cholesteatoma patients with labyrinthine fistula. Methods: The clinical data of 35 patients (35 ears) with labyrinthine fistula, which were caused by cholesteatoma, were analyzed retrospectively. The hearing of 21 patients was followed up. Results: Three months to 5 years follow-up of 21 patients were accomplished by pure tone audiometry and other details. There was no recurrent cholesteatoma in the patients. Compared with pre-operative average bone conduction at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz, 12 cases had a difference less than 5 dB, three patients’ hearing improved (more than 10 dB), and five cases declined (more than 10 dB). One patient received cochlear implantation 3 months after the surgery. The average bone and air conduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz had no obvious change (p > 0.05) in 11 patients managed by a canal wall down mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty.

Correlation of the Puretone Audiometry Findings with Intraoperative Findings in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Chronic suppurative otitis media is one of the common otological conditions in India for which patients seek advice from an otorhinolaryngologist. Chronic suppurative otitis media is recurrent and progressive disease which is characterized with tympanic membrane perforation and suppurative discharge. Pure tone audiometry is the most common test used to evaluate auditory sensitivity. Since hearing loss is a common complication of chronic suppurative otitis media, we designed this study to evaluate preoperative pure tone audiometry findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media and its correlation with the intra-operative findings. Aims and Objectives: 1] To assess the intra-operative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. 2] To evaluate the correlation between the preoperative pure tone audiometry findings and intra-operative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. 3] To assess the type of hearing loss and degree of hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Materials and Methods: This is an Observational study carried over a period of 3 years from August 2011 to August 2013. Total number of patients included in this study was 100. Result: Out of 100 patients studied 69 % of patients had Tubo-Tympanic type of CSOM, 31 % of patients had Attico-antral type of CSOM. In patients of Safe CSOM; Central perforation was seen in maximum cases 46.4 %, anterior central perforations was seen in 8.7 % cases, posterior central perforations seen in 20.2 % cases, and subtotal perforations seen in 24.63 % cases. In patients of Unsafe CSOM posterosuperior cholesteatoma was seen in maximum cases 67.74 %, and attic cholesteatoma was seen in 32.2 % cases. In safe CSOM patients all ossicles were intact and mobile whereas in unsafe CSOM patients only 4 patients had intact ossicular chain, while maximum patients had ossicular defect. Conclusion: Hearing loss depends on size of perforation. Hearing loss increases as the size of perforation increases. Average air conduction threshold and air bone gap did not differ significantly between various groups of ossicular defect. This shows us that neither air conduction nor air bone gap are reliable parameters on basis of which we can predict ossicular status preoperatively.

Correlation of the Puretone Audiometry Findings with Intraoperative Findings in Patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Chronic suppurative otitis media is one of the common otological conditions in India for which patients seek advice from an otorhinolaryngologist. Chronic suppurative otitis media is recurrent and progressive disease which is characterized with tympanic membrane perforation and suppurative discharge. Pure tone audiometry is the most common test used to evaluate auditory sensitivity. Since hearing loss is a common complication of chronic suppurative otitis media, we designed this study to evaluate preoperative pure tone audiometry findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media and its correlation with the intra-operative findings. &lt;strong&gt;Aims and Objectives:&lt;/strong&gt; 1] To assess the intra-operative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. 2] To evaluate the correlation between the preoperative pure tone audiometry findings and intra-operative findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. 3] To assess the type of hearing loss and degree of hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. &lt;strong&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; This is an Observational study carried over a period of 3 years from August 2011 to August 2013. Total number of patients included in this study was 100. &lt;strong&gt;Result:&lt;/strong&gt; Out of 100 patients studied 69 % of patients had Tubo-Tympanic type of CSOM, 31 % of patients had Attico-antral type of CSOM. In patients of Safe CSOM; Central perforation was seen in maximum cases 46.4 %, anterior central perforations was seen in 8.7 % cases, posterior central perforations seen in 20.2 % cases, and subtotal perforations seen in 24.63 % cases. In patients of Unsafe CSOM posterosuperior cholesteatoma was seen in maximum cases 67.74 %, and attic cholesteatoma was seen in 32.2 % cases. In safe CSOM patients all ossicles were intact and mobile whereas in unsafe CSOM patients only 4 patients had intact ossicular chain, while maximum patients had ossicular defect. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Hearing loss depends on size of perforation. Hearing loss increases as the size of perforation increases. Average air conduction threshold and air bone gap did not differ significantly between various groups of ossicular defect. This shows us that neither air conduction nor air bone gap are reliable parameters on basis of which we can predict ossicular status preoperatively.

An extremely rare complication of adenoidectomy; massive bleeding 7 days after the operation

The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes in children with otitis media with effusion who received either medical treatment or ventilation tubes.We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 89 bilateral cases of otitis media with effusion in children who were recommended to receive ventilation tube insertion and were followed up for more than 5 years. Tympanic membrane was inspected by otoscopic examination. Hearing was evaluated with pure tone audiometry. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.4 years (range, 5.2–15.7 years). Twenty-three children were treated without surgery, while 22 were treated once by ventilation tube insertion and 44 were treated more than once by ventilation tube insertion.At the fifth year of follow-up, both groups of children who underwent ventilation tube insertion had more frequent tympanic membrane abnormalities than the medication group (8.7% in those treated without surgery, 72.7% in those treated once by ventilation tube insertion, and 88.6% in those treated more than once by ventilation tube insertion). Common tympanic membrane abnormalities were retraction (27.0%) and tympanosclerotic plaque (23.6%), regardless of the treatment modality. At the fifth year follow-up, the average air-conduction threshold was 10.0 dB (± 6.5 dB) in patients treated without surgery, 15.9 dB (± 11.2 dB) in patients treated once by ventilation tube insertion, and 17.8 dB (± 7.6 dB) in those treated more than once by ventilation tube insertion. The audiological difference was significant when we compared the hearing level of children treated by medication without surgery to the two ventilation tube groups.Though ventilation tube insertion can resolve hearing loss quickly, there were more tympanic membrane abnormalities and a decline in hearing levels in our ventilation tube insertion group vs. the observation group measured 5 years later. Physicians should therefore be cautious when applying a ventilation tube in patients with otitis media with effusion and should explain the risks to patients who are a candidate for repeated ventilation tube insertion.