The aim of the study was to assess the necessity of a screening service to detect early hearing loss in the paediatric population with osteogenesis imperfecta. Twenty-two children were assessed over a 5-year period. Five children (22.7%) had normal hearing. Fourteen (63.6%) had conductive hearing loss, with 12 children in this group having otitis media with effusion (OME); all had resolution of hearing loss with appropriate therapy. Two children had persistent conductive losses unrelated to OME. Three children (13.6%) had sensorineural hearing loss, with one being detected at the age of 1 year. Existing evidence suggests that hearing loss associated with osteogenesis imperfecta has its onset in the second to third decade of life. Contrary to this, hearing loss was detected in 77.3% (17) of this population with a median and mean age of 9 years. This study would suggest that routine screening is worthwhile in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Primary secretory otitis media is an uncommon disease affecting predominantly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs. Current treatment recommendations include repeated manual removal of the mucoid effusion from the tympanic cavity through a myringotomy incision and topical or systemic corticosteroids. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tympanostomy tubes to provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media in three dogs. Tympanostomy tubes were placed within a myringotomy incision in the pars tensa with the aid of an operating microscope. Clinical signs resolved rapidly in all cases following the procedure and all cases were asymptomatic at the time of follow-up, 8, 6 and 4 months later. Results of this study indicate that tympanostomy tubes provide continual tympanic cavity ventilation and drainage and may be an acceptable alternative to repeated myringotomy for the treatment of primary secretory otitis media.

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