title: Evaluation of hearing deficit in patients with oral submucous fibrosis.
abstract: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a well recognized premalignant condition predominantly affecting the oral cavity, but sometimes extending to the pharynx, esophagus or even the larynx. OSMF may lead to stiffness of the oral cavity, resulting in trismus and inability to eat, difficulty with speech or swallowing, pain in the throat and ears, and a relative loss of auditory acuity. To evaluate the hearing deficit in patients with OSMF, we examined a study group comprising 40 patients, and also 10 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. All of the subjects were evaluated for hearing loss by pure tone audiometry. The OSMF group showed a significant degree of hearing loss relative to the control group. OSMF in advanced stages was significantly associated with mild conductive hearing loss (P < 0.01). The present study revealed a significant association between OSMF and hearing deficit. Involvement of the palatal muscles with OSMF may decrease the patency of the Eustachian tube, leading to conductive hearing loss. Therefore, all patients with OSMF should be evaluated for hearing deficit and advised about appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre.
authors.forename: Parvathi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: Ipsa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ravindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Setru
authors.forename: Kuber
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: Dharamveer
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Bellona
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thiyam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009914:Oral Submucous Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010156:Palatal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult