Contralateral occlusion test: The effect of external ear canal occlusion on predicting conductive hearing loss

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Luis Roque Reis ◽  
Luís Castelhano ◽  
Filipe Correia ◽  
Pedro Escada
CoDAS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Roque Reis ◽  
Luís Castelhano ◽  
Filipe Correia ◽  
Pedro Escada

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effects of complete external ear canal occlusion on hearing thresholds with aging. The goal was to decide which tuning fork is more appropriate to use for the contralateral occlusion test (COT), in individuals of different ages. Methods Forty-two normal hearing subjects between 21 and 67 years were divided into three age groups (20-30 years, 40-50 years, and 60-70 years). Participants underwent sound field audiometry tests with warble tones, with and without ear canal occlusion. Each ear was tested with the standard frequencies (250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz). The contralateral ear was suppressed by masking. Results Hearing thresholds showed an increase as the frequency increased from 20.85 dB (250 Hz, 20-30 years group) to 48 dB (2000 Hz, 60-70 years group). The threshold differences between occlusion and no occlusion conditions were statistically significant and increased ranging from 11.1 dB (250 Hz, 20-30 years group) to 32 dB (2000 Hz, 20-30 years group). We found statistically significant differences for the three age groups and for all evaluations except to 500 Hz difference and average difference. The mean hearing loss produced by occlusion at 500 Hz was approximately 19 dB. We found no statistically significant differences between right and left ears and gender for all measurements. Conclusion We conclude that the use of the 512 Hz tuning fork is the most suitable for COT, and its use may allow clinicians to distinguish mild from moderate unilateral conductive hearing loss.


1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaylene Pron ◽  
Cheryl Galloway ◽  
Derek Armstrong ◽  
Jeffrey Posnick

Although the hearing loss of patients with Treacher Collins syndrome is well documented, few studies have reported jointly on their hearing loss and ear pathology. This paper reports on the hearing loss and computerized tomography (CT) assessments of ear malformations in a large pediatric series of patients with Treacher Collins. Of the 29 subjects assessed by the Craniofacial Program between 1986 and 1990, paired audiologic and complete CT assessments were available for 23 subjects. The external ear canal abnormalities were largely symmetric, either bilaterally stenotic or atretic. In most cases, the middle ear cavity was bilaterally hypoplastic and dysmorphic, and ossicles were symmetrically dysmorphic or missing. Inner ear structures were normal in all patients. The majority of patients had a unilateral or bilateral moderate or greater degree of hearing loss and almost half had an asymmetric hearing loss. The hearing loss of all subjects was conductive, except for three whose loss was bilateral mixed. Two types of bilaterally symmetric hearing loss configurations, flat and reverse sloping, were noted. Conductive hearing loss in patients with Treacher Collins is mainly attributable to their middle ear malformations, which are similar for those of patients with malformed or missing ossicles.


2018 ◽  
pp. bcr-2017-223444
Author(s):  
Amelia Leigh Davis ◽  
Shane Gangatharan ◽  
Jafri Kuthubutheen

This presentation reports a novel case of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), presenting with an early cutaneous lesion within the external auditory canal, in a patient being assessed for conductive hearing loss. It has previously been reported that infiltrative CLL can involve the head and neck; however, isolated external ear canal involvement is rare. Given that the incidence of CLL in Australia is rising, this case highlights the importance of considering CLL as a differential diagnosis for presentations of unilateral conductive hearing loss.


Author(s):  
James Ramsden

Hearing loss must be divided into conductive hearing loss (CHL) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). CHL is caused by sound not reaching the cochlear (abnormality of the ear canal, tympanic membrane, middle ear, or ossicles), whereas SNHL is a condition affecting the cochlear or auditory (eighth cranial) nerve. Hearing loss may be accompanied by other cardinal signs of ear disease, such as pain or discharge from the ear, vertigo, facial nerve palsy, and tinnitus, which guide the diagnosis. This chapter describes the approach to the patient with hearing loss.


1998 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovic Martin ◽  
Sylvain Moriniere ◽  
Marie-Christine Machet ◽  
Alain Robier ◽  
Loïc Vaillant

AbstractA case of bilateral progressive stenosis of both external auditory canals with resultant conductive hearing loss is presented. The stenosis revealed multifocal erosive and synechiant lichen planus. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of lichen planus involvement of the external ear.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Birgul Gumus ◽  
Armagan Incesulu ◽  
Mehmet Ozgur Pinarbasli

Background.Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome is a syndrome which presents with hearing loss and visual and keratinization disorders. In such patients, hearing aids cannot be effectively used in the rehabilitation of hearing loss because of the frequent blockage of the external ear canal with epithelial debris and due to dry and tense skin of the external ear canal. Moreover, severe or profound hearing loss also limits the benefits gained from the conventional hearing aids. On the other hand, cochlear implantation is a method that has been used in limited cases in the literature.Case Report.This study presents the results of cochlear implantation applied in our clinic to two children who had been diagnosed with KID. Audiological assessments before and after the cochlear implant operation were performed using pure-tone audiometry, immittance audiometry, and auditory brainstem response (ABR), and the postoperative follow-up was conducted using pure-tone audiometry.Conclusion.Skin problems, visual disturbances, and other additional problems complicate the short-term and long-term rehabilitation after implantation in individuals with KID syndrome. Close monitoring should be exercised due to possible skin complications that may develop during the postoperative period. The families and rehabilitation teams should be warned about the possible visual disturbances and skin complications.


2001 ◽  
Vol 115 (11) ◽  
pp. 879-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B. Hurst

Twenty-two cases of perforated tympanic membrane due to fungal otitis externa were observed over a five-year period.The diagnosis of fungal otitis externa was made on clinical grounds due to the obvious presence of fungal bloom in the external ear canal. Some perforations were noted at the first treatment after the fungal debris had been removed from the external ear canal using a microscope. Other perforations were observed to develop over a few days. Initially, a discrete area of the tympanic membrane appeared white and opaque. As time progressed the white area disintegrated, forming a perforation. Once the otitis externa had resolved most perforations healed spontaneously. Two that were observed to develop during treatment required a myringoplasty. Another one closed significantly but a tiny persistent perforation required cauterization with trichloracetic acid to encourage it to close over completely. The only residual hearing loss was in a case with almost total disintegration of the tympanic membrane requiring a myringoplasty.Treatment of fungal otitis externa for the patients in this series was aural toilet using suction under a microscope and insertion of a gauze wick saturated in a combination of hydrocortisone, clotrimazole, framycetin and gramicidin.


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