Distortion product otoacoustic emission together with tympanometry for assessing otitis media with effusion in children

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic value of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) together with tympanometry in assessing otitis media with effusion in children. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-nine patients, who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and prepared to undergo adenotonsillectomy and had a unilateral or bilateral type 'B' or 'C' tympanogram were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the following four groups: Group 1, type 'B' tympanogram with positive DPOAE; Group 2, type 'B' tympanogram with negative DPOAE; Group 3, type 'C' tympanogram with positive DPOAE and Group 4, type 'C' tympanogram with negative DPOAE. RESULTS: Tympanometry showed a type 'B' pattern in 467 ears and type 'C' pattern in 163 ears. Among 163 ears with type 'C' tympanogram, negative DPOAE results were seen in 96 ears. Group 4 (56/96) had a significant high rate of middle ear effusion than Group 3 (14/67) (p < .05). In patients with a type 'C' tympanogram, those with a low compliance value (∼0.25 ml), concurrent chronic tonsillitis and large tonsils are likely to have middle ear effusion. CONCLUSIONS: DPOAE could be a great help in screening for middle ear effusion in patients with a type 'C' tympanogram.