ABSTRACT:
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a common clinical condition seen by otolaryngologists and one of the leading causes for hearing impairment and ear discharge. Hearing loss as a sequel of CSOM is often conductive, but recent studies have found an additional sensorineural element in those patients, thus demonstrating inner ear damage. The aim of this study is to determine the association between otomicroscopic pathologies and the audiometric findings of CSOM. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted to assess the characteristic microscopic and audiological profile in 70 patients diagnosed as CSOM of active type. All patients were evaluated with detailed history taking and thorough clinical and microscopic examination along with audiological assessment. Results: In this study of 70 patients the more common age group was the middle age, with male to female ratio was 1:1.8 and left ear involved more commonly. Patients were mostly from urban area and group B duration of the disease (1-5years) was more common. Normal hearing with conductive element (<25dB loss) was more occurred among the small sized anterior perforation with granulation tissues, conductive hearing loss was found more commonly in medium sized central perforation with polyp and mucosal edema, while mixed hearing loss (MHL) occurred frequently with large sized attic and posterior perforation associated with cholesteatoma. Conclusion: CSOM is associated with some degree of sensorineural element and cochlear damage. Hearing loss is greatly associated with disease pathologies, size and site of perforation. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study is designed to assess the impact of microscopical pathologies on audiological finding in CSOM.