[The influence of chronic otitis media on the sensorineural component of hearing].

The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) on the sensorineural component of deafness in the patients presenting with unilateral otitis media. A total of 49 patients with this pathology were included in the study. The bone conduction thresholds at the affected side were measured at a frequency of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz and compared with those in the unaffected ear. The loss of hearing was especially well-apparent in the examination at higher frequencies and significantly deteriorated with age. The study did not reveal a marked influence of duration of the disease on the development of the sensorineural component of deafness.