Evaluation of Conductive Hearing Loss in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Obstruction in a Tertiary Care Setup of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and severity of conductive hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal obstruction, admitted in tertiary care setup of Karachi. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional type of study. The study was conducted in the depart- ment of otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi. The study continued for 6 months from September 8th, 2021, to March 8th 2022. Both males and fe- males were included in the study, with ages ranging between 15 and 40 years. The data was col- lected using a questionnaire. Questions were asked to all the patients with nasal/nasopharyngeal obstructive pathologies who were admitted in the ENT ward for different managements, including their gender, age, cause and duration of nasal/ nasopharyngeal obstruction. Assessment of degree and type of hearing loss was done using Pure Tone Audiogram (PTA). Data analysis done using SPSS version 23. Results: The patients’ average age was 28.23 ± 8.23 years. All patients with nasopharyngeal block- age suffered from conductive hearing loss (100%). The degree of conductive hearing loss in patients with nasopharyngeal blockage was mild loss in 51 (52.58%), moderate loss in 36 (37.11%), moderately severe loss in 9 (9.28%), and severe loss in one (1.03%). Conclusion: This study suggests that there is a strong link between obstructive nasal and/or nasopharyngeal lesions and conductive hearing loss. If the study could be conducted on a larger scale, the role of eustachian tube obstruction in the formation and disease course of otitis media would become clearer, and its management would be more beneficial in the treatment of otitis media.