Characteristics of sensorineural hearing loss in tubotympanic chronic otitis media

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a persistent middle ear infection. The tubotympanic type, which is the predominant form, mainly causes conductive hearing loss (CHL), but may result in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This study aims to investigate the frequency and audiological profile of SNHL in patients with tubotympanic CSOM based on a single-center patient population.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary otolaryngology and audiology unit, from September 2024 to January 2025. Sixty patients with unilateral tubotympanic CSOM were included, with the opposite ear serving as a control. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained from all participants. Audiological assessments included pure-tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, and tuning fork tests. Patients with pre-existing SNHL, prior ear surgery, noise exposure, or other confounders were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 28, applying non-parametric tests, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

A total of 60 patients were recruited. Twenty-five percent of patients had a disease duration of less than 5 years, 48.3% had a disease duration of 5 to 10 years, and 26.7% had a disease duration of more than 10 years. Presenting symptoms were hearing loss in 86.7%, otorrhea in 45.0%, tinnitus in 36.7%, and dizziness in 13.3%. Fifty-one patients (85%) showed CHL, while nine patients (15%) exhibited mixed hearing loss. SNHL was significantly associated with longer disease duration (P = 0.018) and larger tympanic membrane (TM) perforation (P = 0.036). Bone conduction thresholds were significantly elevated in the diseased ear (P < 0.001), with higher frequencies affected more than speech frequencies.

Tubotympanic CSOM is significantly associated with the development of SNHL, particularly in patients with prolonged disease duration and larger TM perforations. Periodic audiological assessments, proper management, and early intervention are recommended to prevent cochlear damage and permanent hearing loss.