Objective: To obtain clues on the anatomical features of the eustachian tube (ET) related to the susceptibility to otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. Methods:The angle and length of the ET in children with (54 ears, OME children) and without OME (50 ears, normal children), as well as those of normal adults were measured on the CT using the multiplanar reconstruction technique Results:The angles of ET in OME children group, normal children group, and normal adult group were 20.4±3.5 degree (°) and 21.2±4.8°, 19.9±3.4°and 20.0±3.6°, and 27.3±2.7° and 27.3±2.8° in the right and left sides, respectively. There was no significant difference between the right and left sides in any group (p=0.541, p=0.952, p=0.978). The lengths of the ET in the OME children group, normal children group, and normal adult group were 37.2±3.0 mm (mean±standard deviation) and 37.6±3.2 mm, 37.5±3.3 mm and 38.0±3.2 mm, and 42.5±2.8 mm and 42.9±2.9 mm in the right and the left side, respectively. There was no significant difference between in the right and left sides in any groups (p=0.670, p=0.597, and p=0.545).Both the angles and lengths were significantly greater in the normal adult group than in either the OME children group or normal children group (one-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD tests, p<0.05), but there was no significant difference either in the angle or length of the ET between the OME group and normal children group (p>0.05). In the OME and normal children groups, the angle was observed to constantly increase with age, and the values were found to be within the range of the adult size in all the cases older than 2737 days and 2818 days in the OME children group and in normal children group, respectively. In addition to the angle, the lengths were observed to constantly increase with age, but the increase appeared to be greater in younger age until around 1000 to 1500 days (3 to 4 year old) than in the older age, and the values were found to be within the range of the adult size in all the cases older than 2470 days and 2818 days in OME children group and in normal children group, respectively. Conclusion:The angle and length of ET are more horizontal and shorter in infants than in adults. However, there is no statistical difference between the angle and length of ET in infants with and without OME. These results suggest that short and horizontal ET may be one of the predisposing factors related to the high susceptibility of OME in infants and children rather than etiological factors.

Child implant users enjoy music more than adult implant users. Moreover, younger age at implantation increases children's engagement with music, which may enhance their progress in other auditory domains.

Long-term results of the language perception and production after CI was satisfactory in Japanese children with congenital CMV-related deafness compared with in subjects deafened by other causes. CMV alone, as a cause of deafness, is not likely a contraindication for CI.