Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media: Is there a significant correlation?

Abstract

IntroductionHearing loss as a sequel of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is often conductive, but recent studies have found an additional sensorineural component in these patients, thus demonstrating inner ear damage. The aim of the study was to determine the association between CSOM and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to assess the influence of patient’s age, duration of disease, and presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion on the degree of SNHL.MethodsIn a retrospective study, the medical records of 119 patients who underwent surgery was reviewed. Seventy patients met the inclusion criteria of unilateral otorrhea, normal contralateral ear on otoscopy, and age between 10–65 years with no history of head trauma or ear surgery or familial hearing loss. Bone conduction (BC) thresholds for affected and contralateral ear were measured at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 13 with independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation test, and two-tailed analysis. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsSignificant higher BC thresholds were found in the affected ear than in the normal ear for each frequency (p < 0.001), which increased with increasing frequency (7.00 dB at the 500 Hz and 9.71 dB at the 4000 Hz). There was a significant correlation between age and degree of SNHL (r = 0.422, p < 0.001) but no significant correlation was in duration of the disease (r = 0.119, p > 0.05). There was no relationship between presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion with SNHL (p > 0.05).ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that CSOM is associated with some degree of SNHL and cochlear damage, and higher frequencies are more affected. Aging can act as a precipitating factor in this pathological process.

Possible Effect of Chronic Otitis Media with and without Cholesteatoma on Bone Conduction Thresholds: Evaluation of the 112 Cases

“…However, they did not identify any correlation between the patient's age or duration of disease and the degree of SNHL. Amali et al [4] report that a statistically significant difference in mean BCT was obtained on PTA between normal and diseased ears at all frequencies. The authors found that there was a significant correlation between age and SNHL, but that the duration of the disease did not have a significant effect on SNHL.…”

“…[1] Whilst COM is usually associated with conductive hearing loss, it may also cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). [2][3][4][5] Conductive hearing loss due to COM is extensively discussed in the literature, but the relationship between SNHL and COM remains controversial. [1] Inflammatory mediators and lytic enzymes produced by the reactive middle ear epithelium are thought to be the main reason for SNHL in cases of COM.…”

Study of pattern of hearing loss in CSOM (chronic suppurative OTITIS media)

“…Amali A et al [9] found that older patients were more vulnerable to the effects of middle ear inflammation on cochlear function, and this vulnerability could lead to intense hearing impairment due to aging. Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) or presbycusis is one of the most common disabilities in elderly people, which affects approximately 27.6% of individuals between 65 to 79 years and 36.5% of those aged 80 and older.…”

“…With this background present study was planned to study of pattern of hearing loss in CSOM in Indian Population. Hearing loss as a sequel of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is often conductive, but recent studies have found an additional sensorineural component in these patients, thus demonstrating inner ear damage [9].…”

Study of prevalence & degree of sensorineural hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM)

“…Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the chronic inflammation of the middle ear fossa with discharge through a perforated tympanic membrane [1]. Hearing loss is a public health problem in developed and developing countries.…”