We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
HEARING LOSS IN YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAD VENTILATION TUBE INSERTION IN CHILDHOOD.
- Authors
de Beer, Brechtje A.; Snik, Ad F.; Schilder, Anne G.M.; Zielhuis, Gerhard A.; Ingels, Koen; Graamans, Kees
- Abstract
It is known that insertion of ventilation tubes can cause damage to the tympanic membrane and hearing deterioration in the long term. To investigate long-term effects of recurrent otitis media and of ventilation tube insertion, we used a study group (n = 358 subjects), with or without a history of otitis media and/or ventilation tube insertion, derived from a birth cohort that had been followed for 16 years. At 18 years of age, a standardized audiometric and otoscopic examination was performed. We found that ventilation tube insertion in childhood was associated with a mean persistent hearing loss in young adults of about 5 to 10 dB at the group level with a sensorineural component of 3 to 4 dB. This hearing loss could not be explained by the disease load of otitis media in childhood. Repeated insertions of ventilation tubes caused a greater deterioration of hearing than did a single insertion. Structural changes of the tympanic membrane were a mediating factor in the causal relationship between ventilation tube insertion and hearing loss. We conclude that ventilation tube insertion in childhood may induce hearing deterioration in the long term.
- Subjects
HEARING disorders; HEARING impaired children; EAR diseases; AUDIOLOGY; ADULTS
- Publication
Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 2004, Vol 113, Issue 6, p438
- ISSN
0003-4894
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/000348940411300604