EXPRESSION OF DISTORTION PRODUCT OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS IN CHILDREN WITH OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

Abstract

Introduction Otoacoustic emissions are sounds that result from energy generated in the cochlea. Because they are transmitted from the cochlea to the ear canal where they can be measured, middle ear pathology can influence their characteristics. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of middle ear disorders on the expression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) in children. Material and methods: This prospective study included a sample of 51 children, 26 males (51%) and 25 females (49%), aged 4 to 14 years (mean age of 7.1 years), examined during the period of January to May 2017. A total of 15 children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and type B tympanogram were included, 21 children with Eustachian tube dysfunction and type C tympanogram, without middle ear fluid, and 15 normal hearing children with type A tympanogram as a control group. Results: In children with type B tympanogram, the lowest mean DPOAE amplitude was -15 dB SPL at frequency of 4000 Hz. In cases with type C tympanogram, the lowest mean DPOAE amplitude was -0.5 dB SPL, and in type A tympanogram 6.7 dB SPL. In children with OME, only 7% of all points per octave were accepted (p<0.00001), DPOAE were absent in 85.8% of tested frequencies (p = 0.0259), and pure tone average was 26 dB HL Conclusion: Expression of DPOAE is significantly affected not only with presence of middle ear fluid, but also in cases of negative middle ear pressure without hearing loss.

Keywords

• otitis media with effusion
• otoacoustic emissions
• expression