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Real ear to coupler differences in children having otitis media with effusion
H C Martin1, G F Westwood, J M Bamford
1Hearing & Balance Centre, ISVR, University of Southampton, UK.
British Journal of Audiology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Otitis media with effusion (OME) can significantly alter real ear to coupler differences (RECD) in children, impacting hearing aid fittings. Individual RECD measurements are crucial, especially for children with OME, to ensure accurate amplification.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Hearing Science
Background:
- Real ear to coupler difference (RECD) is critical for selecting appropriate hearing aid amplification in children with hearing impairment.
- Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common childhood condition that may affect middle ear function and acoustic measures.
- Understanding OME's impact on RECD is essential for accurate audiological assessments and hearing aid fittings in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of otitis media with effusion (OME) on real ear to coupler difference (RECD) in children.
- To determine if OME influences the acoustic properties of the ear canal relevant to hearing aid fitting.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 28 children aged 4.6–7.6 years, with 14 diagnosed with OME and 14 as a healthy control group.
- Real-ear and coupler measures were conducted to assess RECDs across various frequencies.
- Test-retest repeatability of measures was evaluated, and correlations between RECD, ear canal volume, and sound pressure levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Children with OME exhibited mean RECDs up to 3.5 dB greater than the control group in the 0.2–3.0 kHz frequency range.
- Statistically significant differences in RECD were observed at 1.0 kHz and 1.5 kHz.
- No significant correlation was found between ear canal volume and RECD, indicating these factors could not predict individual RECDs.
- Large inter-subject variability in RECD was noted, with a maximum standard deviation of 5.6 dB at 0.2 kHz.
Conclusions:
- Otitis media with effusion significantly affects real ear to coupler differences in children, particularly at specific frequencies.
- Individual RECD measurements are strongly recommended for children, especially those with OME, to optimize hearing aid fitting and performance.
- Averaged transformation figures for RECD may not be sufficiently accurate for children with OME due to significant individual variability and the condition's influence.