Frequency-specific analysis of hearing outcomes after surgery for chronic ear diseases

To examine the relationship between different surgical factors and frequency-specific hearing results following surgery for chronic ear disorders.

We reviewed retrospectively data of 246 patients with chronic ear diseases who had surgery between January 2019 and December 2020. Seventy-three patients did not fulfil the criteria and were excluded. Air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold and air-bone gap were tested at 250-4000 Hz, respectively. Frequency-specific results were investigated in relation to various surgical factors.

The radical mastoidectomy group and tympanoplasty group significantly improved in air-conduction threshold changes at every frequency. In the tympanoplasty group, air-bone gap at all frequencies except 4000 significantly improved. Air-conduction threshold improved at low and middle frequencies when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. In all groups, bone-conduction threshold data revealed significant improvements at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz.

Hearing improved significantly post-operatively in air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap test, mainly at low and middle frequencies. Bone-conduction threshold improved significantly at 500-2000 Hz.