Pass/fail criteria in screening for otitis media in children with learning disorders

A group of 75 children with language/learning disorders were screened for middle ear problems using serial tympanometry and otoscopy. Using a fail criterion of -200 mm H2O for tympanometry, 68% of the ears identified as pathological by otoscopy were identified by two serial tympanometry screens. The concurrence of otoscopy and serial tympanometry indicated a failure rate of 18% of the ears tested. It is concluded that for children in special populations, such as those with language/learning disorders, who may need careful monitoring for identification of middle ear problems, a combination of otoscopy and a single test of tympanometry may improve the reliability of screening programs.