Serous otitis media in children and its impact on hearing

Abstract Background Serous otitis media (SOM) is characterized by fluid collection behind the intact eardrum without signs and symptoms of general and local infection. The disease occurs especially in infants and early childhood. The prevalence of SOM varies between 2 and 18% in different studies. otitis media-related hearing loss may result in significant speech and language delay with impaired quality of life in childhood Research Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study (COHORT) was conducted On a random group of patients from April 2023 to January 2024. A paper questionnaire was conducted based on a review of patient files in the Clinics Department at Al-Mouwasat University Hospital. Accordingly, the questionnaire was filled out and the data was reviewed under the supervision of the research supervisor. Results Symptoms varied among the sample members, 20of whom had exoserosis, at a rate of 28.5%. 14 (20%) had ear itching, while 24 had pain in the infected ear, at a rate of 34.2%. Adenoid enlargement was the most common disfunction that causes serous otitis media with a percentage of 70%. Treatment for all samples diagnosed with serous otitis media was either medicinal treatment using nasal drops in addition to ear drops in the event of a serous discharge from the affected ear, surgical treatment by installing a ventilation tube, or surgical treatment of the cause of the obstruction. Finally, 55.8% of children developed hearing loss and 44.2% did not Conclusion It is necessary not to neglect any child suspected of having serous otitis media, especially younger children, as the hearing ability of every child who has or has suffered from serous otitis media must be examined. It is also essential to ensure that ventilation tubes are in place during the treatment period because it is the most important means of prevention and maintaining the sense of hearing normally without being affected by the accumulation of serous fluid behind the tympanic membrane.