[Value of otoacoustic emission tests in the diagnosis and follow-up of the otitis media with effusion].

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the value of otoacoustic emission tests in the diagnosis and treatment of the otitis media with effusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight ears of 39 patients (24 males, 15 females; mean age 7.84 years; range 4 to 14 years) operated on because of serous otitis media with effusion and adenoid hypertrophy between September 2006 and May 2007 were included in the study. The medical history, otoscopic examination and audiologic tests were used in diagnosis. Otoacoustic emission tests (DPOAE and TEOAE), pure tone audiometry and tympanometry were also applied in the pre- and postoperative first month. Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion was performed on patients with type B tympanograms. RESULTS: In patients with type B tympanograms, pre- and postoperative audiogram values compared with pre-treatment air and bone gap values significantly decreased (p<0.01). After treatment DPOAE and TEOAE positivity compared to pretreatment values significantly increased (p<0.001). The presence of middle ear effusion affects otoacoustic emissions. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that the measurement of otoacoustic emissions may be helpful in evaluating the condition of the middle ear during the treatment. Otoacoustic emissions are easy, practical tests for the follow-up of effusional otitis media during the pre- and postoperative period. Otoacoustic emissions may give valuable information for applying ventilation tubes and help avoid unnecessary myringotomy.