Relation between otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) are common ear infections.
• Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can significantly impact quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing evidence on the association between rAOM/CSOM and SNHL.
• To identify the strength and consistency of the correlation.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted.
• Two independent reviewers screened articles, extracted data, and assessed study quality.
• Included studies compared hearing levels in patients with rAOM/CSOM to control groups.

Main Results:

• Two case-control and seven cohort studies were included, with significant heterogeneity and risk of bias.
• Conflicting results were reported: some cohort studies suggested an association (OR 3.30-7.86), while a case-control study indicated no association (OR 0.05).
• Four cohort studies showed higher bone conduction thresholds in the OM group, but statistical significance varied.

Conclusions:

• Due to high risk of bias and heterogeneity, no definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding the correlation between OM and SNHL.
• The current evidence is insufficient to establish a link.
• There is a critical need for future high-quality prognostic studies to clarify this relationship.