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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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New Methods to Study Gustatory Coding
Published on: June 29, 2017
Influence of chronic middle ear diseases on gustatory function: an electrogustometric study
Masaki Sano1, Ken Ito, Keigo Suzukawa
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo, Japan. neurootolsano@ybb.ne.jp
Summary
Middle ear inflammation from chronic otitis media (COM) and cholesteatoma impairs taste function, while otosclerosis does not. Both COM and cholesteatoma similarly affect gustatory sensation thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Middle ear inflammation is common in conditions like chronic otitis media (COM) and cholesteatoma.
- The impact of these middle ear pathologies on gustatory function remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess the effect of unilateral middle ear inflammation (COM, cholesteatoma, otosclerosis) on gustatory function.
- To compare taste sensation thresholds between affected and unaffected ears in patients with these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving patients with unilateral COM, cholesteatoma, or otosclerosis.
- Taste function was evaluated using electrogustometry (EGM).
- Sensation thresholds were compared between affected and unaffected ears within each patient group and across groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with COM and cholesteatoma showed significantly higher taste thresholds in affected ears compared to unaffected ears (p < 0.05).
- Otosclerosis did not result in a significant difference in taste thresholds between ears.
- The degree of taste threshold elevation was comparable between COM and cholesteatoma groups (p = 0.548).
Conclusions:
- Unilateral cholesteatoma and chronic middle ear inflammation significantly impair gustatory function.
- The detrimental effect on taste sensation is similar for both cholesteatoma and COM.
- Otosclerosis does not appear to affect taste function in the affected ear.
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