Determinants of variable hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media

ABSTRACT

To determine the impact of ear discharge, duration size and site of tympanic membrane perforation on hearing loss. Cross-Sectional prospective study. Baqai Medical College and Abbasi Shaheed Hospiatl, Department of Ear Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery from December 2010 to November 2011. Sixty six patients of chronic suppurative otitits media [CSOM] aged between 09 to 60 years of age were included in the study. After history and examination, pure tone audiometry was done .Statistical analysis of the collected data is done using SPSS 16 program. Patients with 107 perforated tympanic membrane, 40 males and 26 females were included in the study. Bilateral tympanic membrane perforation were seen in 41 patients, right sided perforation in 10 and left sided in 15 patients respectively. Out of total 107 perforations, 58 were large central[54.2%]and 49 were small[45.8%]. 100 perforations [93.5%] were anteriorly located and 07 [6.5%] were posterior. The size of the perforation was not a determinant of hearing loss though the site of the perforation was associated with significant degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss increased with the chronicity of the disease. The location of perforation on the tympanic membrane and the duration of ear discharge have significant effect on the magnitude of hearing loss while the size of perforation does not affect the hearing level significantly