Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Introduction: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) has been an important cause of hearing loss and ear discharge in people affected by it for a significant time now. Its prevalence is more in developing countries where the socioeconomic status is low. Poor and overcrowded living conditions, poor hygiene and nutrition have been suggested as a basis for the widespread prevalence of CSOM in developing countries. Pure Tone Audiometry is the easiest and the most basic procedure which needs to be performed on any patient who has history of hearing loss irrespective of the nature of the disease and the cause surrounding it. Every initial evaluation for CSOM should include audiometric testing via air and bone along with pure tone thresholds. Aims & Objectives: To co-relate the hearing loss to the duration of the disease in the ear in patients with CSOM and to also associate the same to the corresponding hearing changes after Myringoplasty. Materials & Methods: Sixty patients were taken to be part of the study after following a strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. With proper consent, they underwent Pure Tone Audiogram and Myringoplasty. Their Air Bone Gap and Air Conduction Threshold results were tabulated with the duration of the disease and a consensus was reached at. Observations & Results: It was observed that the hearing loss was much lesser if the duration of the disease was lesser than one year. As the diagnosis was delayed, both the AB gap and the mean AC threshold went up. The early closure of the perforation can significantly bridge the AB gap but the same cannot be said about the AC threshold as it seemed to be lesser affected by the duration. Conclusion: It can thus be concluded that AC threshold is quietly independent of the changes in the diseased middle ear as compared to the AB gap. This makes it a stronger tool in the assessment of hearing. The early diagnosis and management of Tubotympanic type of CSOM can not only help in preventing complications but also aid in better hearing protection which in-turn helps in better social survival.