Audiometric changes in chronic secretory otitis media due to nasal allergy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible role of nasal allergy on hearing levels in chronic otitis media with effusion (OME).


METHODS
In 87 adults who had chronic OME, 185 nasal challenges with allergen were performed using rhinomanometry combined with tympanometry and pure-tone audiometry (PTA).


RESULTS
Of the 87 patients, 71 developed 131 positive nasal responses (NRs; p < 0.01), 119 of which were associated with significant changes in middle ear pressure (p < 0.01) and 96 with significant changes in PTA (p < 0.01). The hearing threshold increased significantly (>30 dB) at tone frequencies of 2,000 Hz during 63 NRs (p < 0.05) and at tone frequencies of 4,000 Hz during 93 NRs (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal allergy can affect Eustachian tube function, leading to the changes in the middle ear pressure and resulting in hearing impairment. Nasal challenges with allergen performed using rhinomanometry combined with tympanometry and PTA may be a useful diagnostic supplement in chronic OME patients.
Pelikan
Zdenek
Z
Allergy Research Foundation, Breda, The Netherlands. zpelikan@casema.nl
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D012882:Skin Tests