Bullous myringitis: etiology and hearing loss

ABSTRACT

A prospective study was planned to evaluate the nature, site and prognosis of hearing loss in bullous myringitis. Thirty five patients were seen over a 4 year period. Audio-logical lest battery was obtained within 1 - 3 days from the onset of pain. Seventeen patients [48.69%] had sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL] of cochlear origin. Fourteen patients [40%] had mixed hearing loss, 76% of patients who came for follow up showed complete recovery of hearing after one month. Complement fixation titres were obtained for 5 different organisms in twelve patients. None of tested organisms was found to be causative agent for bullous myringitis. The findings of this study suggest that SNHL is an integral part of the disease. The manifestation of bullous myringitis may be nonspecific reaction related to infection by many agents. The implications of this study are discussed with review of the pertaining literature