Otitis Media associated symptoms and types in study population

Background: Middle ear infection also called Otitis media (OM) is inflammation in the middle ear cleft and is accompanied by effusion of fluids into the middle ear due to infection which may be associated with the presence or absence of tympanic membrane perforation. The present study was conducted to determine various cases of OM in study population. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Ear, Nose and Throat in year 2014. It included 1540 patients of both gender with history of otalgia and otorohea. History, clinical examinations such as video otoscopy, nasal endoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry was done. Audiometric threshold of hearing loss was evaluated using pure tone audiometry and the average for the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz was recorded. Results: Out of 1540 patients, males were 710 and females were 830. The difference was non significant (P1). Age group 115 years consisted of 1080 patients, 1530 years had 410 patients and >30 years had 50 patients. The difference was significant (P0.01). Acute suppurative OM was seen in 18%, chronic suppurative OM in 52% and OM with effusion was seen in 30% of cases. ASOM was unilateral in 25% and bilateral in 75%, CSOM was unilateral in 45% and bilateral in 55%, OME was unilateral in 65% and bilateral in 35% of cases. The difference was significant (P0.01). In ASOM, hearing was normal (48%), conductive hearing loss (18%), sensorineural hearing loss (15%) and mixed hearing loss (19%). In CSOM, hearing was normal (21%), conductive hearing loss (50%), sensorineural hearing loss (14%) and mixed hearing loss (15%). In OME, hearing was normal (24%), conductive hearing loss (28%), sensorineural hearing loss (16%) and mixed hearing loss (32%). The difference was significant (P0.01). Conclusion: Otitis media is common among children. Hearing loss is one of the common symptoms. Among forms, ASOM, CSOM and OME are common.