Incidence of audiologic or otolaryngologic evaluation in patients with external ear anomalies

The relationship between specific external ear anomalies (EEA) and hearing loss has been previously described. However, there is no literature regarding the appropriate evaluation of patients with EEA by audiology or otolaryngology. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of audiologic or otolaryngologic evaluation of patients with EEA.

A retrospective review of charts was conducted following approval from the institutional review board at Boston Medical Center. Charts of patients younger than 18 years old with EEA, identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes 380-380.99, 744, and 744.4 and ICD-10 codes H61.90-92, Q16.0-16.9, Q17.0-17.9, Q18.0-18.2, from January 2012 to January 2019 were reviewed. Primary variables included incidence of audiologic and otolaryngologic evaluation, newborn hearing screen and audiometry results, and completion of surgical intervention. Binary logistic regressions were conducted for each group for diagnostic, procedural, and demographic characteristics.

A total of 723 patients were diagnosed with EEA from January 2012 to January 2019. Of these patients, 327 (45.2 %) were evaluated by audiology and 327 (45.2 %) were evaluated by otolaryngology. Of the 364 patients who obtained audiograms, 63 (17.3 %) demonstrated hearing loss. Surgical procedures were performed on 119 (16.5 %) patients, with the most common procedure being excision of the EEA (n = 79, 66.4 %). A total of 468 patients had a documented newborn hearing screen. Failure of newborn hearing screen and presence of microtia were associated with increased otolaryngologic and audiologic evaluation.

A majority of patients with EEAs do not obtain audiologic or otolaryngologic evaluation.