Hearing Loss in Young Adults Who Had Ventilation Tube Insertion in Childhood

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.

A 14-Year Prospective Follow-up Study of Children Treated Early in Life With Tympanostomy Tubes: Part 2: Hearing Outcomes

“…Moreover, the sensitivity at different frequencies between 0.25 and 8.0 kHz fell within the normal agerelated values. 13,14 Among children with OM, de Beer et al 15 found hearing levels to be worse in those with than without VT treatment at the ages of 8 and 18 years. The association of VTs with the observed hearing loss is difficult to evaluate because of the heavier disease load in the patients with VT treatment.…”

“…The association of VTs with the observed hearing loss is difficult to evaluate because of the heavier disease load in the patients with VT treatment. In addition, de Beer et al 15 reported elevated BC thresholds among patients with VT treatment, with an increase between 8 and 18 years of age. We did not notice any significant sensorineural hearing loss or its progression, with the mean PTAs for BC of healed ears being −0.6 dB and 0.2 dB at 6 and 15 years of age, respectively.…”

Topical Application of Mitomycin C before versus after Myringotomy: An Experimental Study

“…Insertion of tubes is the most frequently performed surgical procedure for children under 15 years of age in the USA, carried out more than 500,000 times in 1996 [1] . Although tympanostomy tubes are safe and effi cacious for most children with refractory otitis media, several sequelae may occur, including otorrhea, cholesteatoma, chronic perforation and hearing deterioration in the long term [2,3] . These problems associated with ventilation tubes encouraged otolaryngologists to fi nd alternative procedures for ventilation of the middle ear.…”

Hearing loss as a sequel of secretory and acute otitis media as reflected by audiometric screening of Swedish conscripts

“…Quite a few studies indicate that longstanding SOM, even when treated, leads to poorer hearing after active disease has subsided [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Some of these studies concern extended high frequency audiometry and show losses mainly in the extended high frequency range [1,3,4].…”

“…Some of these studies concern extended high frequency audiometry and show losses mainly in the extended high frequency range [1,3,4]. Reported hearing losses in the conventional frequency range are small [1][2][3][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Difficulties in hearing distorted speech have also been reported [1].…”