Deafness after otitis media in general practice

Abstract

Forty-one children between the ages of four and 10 years who presented with acute otitis media were offered routine audiometry six weeks after the attack. Fifteen of the 39 children who attended audiometry failed the test at six weeks, and eight children had a persistent hearing loss of 30 decibels (dB) or greater at three months and so were referred to an ENT specialist. In all these eight children an abnormal tympanic membrane had been detected before audiograms were seen. The mother's opinion of the child's hearing and the assessment by the doctor using tuning fork and whisper test were much less accurate. A total of 17 children had abnormal auroscopic appearances and 11 of these failed their first audiogram, eight failed the second and they were therefore referred.

It is suggested that general practitioners should examine the ears of children six weeks after an attack of otitis media. Those children with abnormal tympanic membranes should undergo audiometry at three months, and those whose audiograms fail should then be referred.