Pass/fail criteria in screening for otitis media in children with learning disorders.
A group of 75 children with language/learning disorders were screened for middle ear problems using serial tympanometry and otoscopy. Using a fail criterion of -200 mm H2O for tympanometry, 68% of the ears identified as pathological by otoscopy were identified by two serial tympanometry screens. The concurrence of otoscopy and serial tympanometry indicated a failure rate of 18% of the ears tested. It is concluded that for children in special populations, such as those with language/learning disorders, who may need careful monitoring for identification of middle ear problems, a combination of otoscopy and a single test of tympanometry may improve the reliability of screening programs.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination