Impact of Tympanic Membrane Perforation Location on Hearing Loss
Author Information
Author(s): Ibekwe Titus S, Nwaorgu Onyekwere G, Ijaduola Taiwo G
Primary Institution: University College Hospital Ibadan
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between the location of tympanic membrane perforation and the magnitude of hearing loss?
Conclusion
The location of perforation on the tympanic membrane has no effect on the magnitude of hearing loss in acute tympanic membrane perforations, but it significantly impacts chronic perforations.
Supporting Evidence
- Sixty-two patients with 77 perforated ear drums were studied.
- 59% had pure conductive hearing loss and the rest mixed.
- Hearing losses increased with the size of perforations.
- The location of perforations correlated positively with magnitude of hearing loss in chronic TM perforations.
Takeaway
If you have a hole in your eardrum, where the hole is might not matter much for hearing loss if it's a new injury, but it can be important if the hole has been there for a long time.
Methodology
A cross-sectional prospective study of adult patients with tympanic membrane perforations conducted in an ENT clinic.
Limitations
Inability to control all confounding factors, especially in chronic tympanic membrane perforations.
Participant Demographics
62 patients (22 males, 40 females), aged 16–75 years (mean = 35.4 ± 4).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01 for size correlation; 0.047 for chronic perforations
Statistical Significance
p=0.01 for size correlation; p=0.047 for chronic perforations
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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