Identifying factors associated with spontaneous restoration of hearing in children with otitis media with effusion
Lowri Edwards1, Rebecca Cannings-John2, Christopher Butler3
1Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Insights
Milder baseline hearing loss is the strongest predictor of hearing recovery in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Factors like male gender and no hearing aid use also indicate better outcomes for hearing in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Public Health
Background:
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common cause of hearing loss in children.
- Chronic OME can lead to persistent hearing impairment, impacting development.
- Predicting hearing recovery is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of acceptable hearing recovery in children with bilateral OME.
- To analyze audiology data from the OSTRICH study.
- To inform treatment decisions for children with OME.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the OSTRICH study data.
- Inclusion of 389 children aged 2-8 years with bilateral hearing loss due to OME.
- Logistic regression models to identify baseline predictors of hearing recovery.
Main Results:
- Less severe baseline hearing loss was the most consistent predictor of acceptable hearing at 5 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.
- Negative history of atopy, never using hearing aids, and male gender predicted better hearing at 6 months.
- Symptom duration predicted hearing at 5 weeks but not later.
Conclusions:
- Milder baseline hearing loss is the primary predictor of hearing recovery in children with chronic OME.
- Factors such as a negative history of atopy, no hearing aid use, and male gender are associated with a better prognosis.
- These predictors can help identify children who may not require treatment for OME-related hearing loss.
Objectives:
To identify predictors of acceptable hearing at 5 weeks, 6 and 12 months in children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME).
Design And Setting:
Secondary analysis of OSTRICH data, conducted in hospital ear, nose and throat (ENT) and paediatric audiology and audiovestibular medicine departments across Wales and England.
Participants:
The OSTRICH study included 389 children aged 2-8 years with bilateral hearing loss attributable toOME for at least 3 months.
Main Outcome Measures:
Baseline, 5-week, 6- and 12-month audiology measurements were collected and logistic regression models used to identify pre-randomisation baseline variables that predicted return of acceptable hearing, which was defined as less than or equal to 20 dB hearing loss averaged within the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in at least one ear in children assessed by pure tone audiometry, ear-specific insert visual reinforcement audiometry or ear-specific play audiometry less than or equal to 25 dB hearing loss averaged within the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in children assessed by sound-field visual reinforcement audiometry or sound-field performance/play audiometry, based on national guidelines.
Results:
Less severe baseline hearing loss across both ears most consistently predicted acceptable hearing at 5 weeks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95), 6 months (0.94 [0.90-0.98]) and 12 months (0.93 [0.89-0.97]). Negative history of atopy (2.05 [1.16-3.61]), never using hearing aids (aOR 2.16 [1.04-4.48]), and being male (1.75 [1.02-2.99]) were significant at 6 months, but not at 12 months. Symptom duration was a predictor at 5 weeks, but not at 6 or 12 months.
Conclusions:
Milder baseline hearing loss most consistently predicts acceptable hearing at 5 weeks, 6 and 12 months in children with chronic OME. Negative history of atopy, never using hearing aids, and male gender are associated with better prognosis. These predictors can be used to identify children that may not require treatment.
More Related Videos
14:05Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
09:07Author Spotlight: Advancing Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty – Techniques, Innovations, and Practical Guidance for Clinical Integration
Published on: January 26, 2024
