Frequency-Specific Analysis of Hearing Outcomes after Surgery for Chronic Ear Diseases

Objective To examine the relationship between different surgical factors and frequency-specific hearing results following surgery for chronic ear disorders. Methods We reviewed retrospectively data of 246 patients with chronic ear diseases who had surgery between January 2019 and December 2020. Seventy-three patients did not fulfil the criteria and were excluded. Air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold and air–bone gap were tested at 250–4000 Hz, respectively. Frequency-specific results were investigated in relation to various surgical factors. Results The radical mastoidectomy group and tympanoplasty group significantly improved in air-conduction threshold changes at every frequency. In the tympanoplasty group, air–bone gap at all frequencies except 4000 significantly improved. Air-conduction threshold improved at low and middle frequencies when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. In all groups, bone-conduction threshold data revealed significant improvements at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Conclusions Hearing improved significantly post-operatively in air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap test, mainly at low and middle frequencies. Bone-conduction threshold improved significantly at 500–2000 Hz.