Hearing Loss and Size and Type of Perforation of Tympanic Membrane in Chronic Otitis Media Patients: An Observational Study in North Eastern India

Abstract

Objective: The study of correlation between sizes and type of tympanic
membrane perforations with degree of hearing loss. Study Design: Cross
sectional observational study. Setting: E. N. T OPD, at AGMC & GBP Hospital,
Tripura. Materials and Methods: 110 patients (118 ears) of COM (safe
type)were selected from Dec 2020 to June 2022. Instruments used for data
collection/processing included questionnaires, oto-endoscopy (hand held
portable) and microscopy, Pure tone audiometer and image J software.Results:
110 patients (56-males, 54-females), aged 15-60 years (mean age 41.00 years ±
13.99 years) with 118 perforated eardrums were studied. 8(7.3%) had bilateral
TM perforations, 53(48.2%) right unilateral and 49(44.5%) left unilateral. The
various sizes of perforation and their hearing loss were as follows: Group I
(total perforation) no. of ear=3. Group II (subtotal perforation) no. of ear=19.
Group III (central perforation) no. of ear = 96. Based on size of perforation
GROUP 1 (<20 mm sq.) 41 examined ears, GROUP 2 (20- 40mm sq) 59
examined ears, GROUP 3 (>40mm sq.) 18 examined ears.Amongst the central
perforation 19 ears had HL < 35db and 73 ears have mean hearing loss 35 - 55
db and 4ears have HL >55db. Amongst the subtotal perforation11 ears have
mean hearing loss 35-55db & 8 ears have HL >55db. Amongst the total
perforation 1 ear have HL 35-55db and 2 ears have mean hearing loss > 55db
and Difference was significant, P value<0.001.Conclusion: A linear relationship
existed between sizes and type of tympanic membrane perforation with degree
of hearing loss.