Abstract
Despite the high level of interest, there is little definitive data concerning hearing outcome in prospectively followed infants with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM). 149 normal children were followed closely during the 1st 24 months of life with special emphasis on middle ear status as judged by pneumatic otoscopy and impedance tympanometry. The incidence of AOM peaked at 7-9 months with 46 visits/100 children with a decrease to 7 visits/100 children by 21-24 months. Type “A” tympanograms correlated with normal ears at each 3 month block between 86-99% of the time. However, type “B” tympanograms were seen 29-59% of the time with ears also judged to be normal by pneumatic otoscopy. At 2 years of age children were tested utilizing sound field audiometry, impedance tympanometry and acoustic reflex thresholds. Sound field testing at 5 frequencies between 250-4000 Hz. showed a hearing loss ≥30 decibels at one or more frequencies in 5-10% of children with no AOM, 11-14% with 1-2 episodes of AOM and 15-29% with ≥3 episodes of AOM. Acoustic reflex thresholds were ≥115 decibels at one or more of 4 frequencies between 500-4000 Hzs. in 3-13% of ears with no AOM, 32-34% with 1-2 episodes of AOM and 44-50% with ≥3 episodes of AOM. In children carefully followed and optimally treated for recurrent AOM abnormal middle ear status and hearing loss were frequent sequelae of AOM in infancy.
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Wright, P., Greene, J., Andrews, C. et al. 1092 INFLUENCE OF ACUTE AND SEROUS OTITIS IN INFANCY ON HEARING TESTING AT 2 YEARS OF AGE. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 624 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01118
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01118