Grommet insertion in patients of secretory otitis media for improvement in Hearing

Objective: to assess the improvement in hearing following grommet insertion in patients diagnosed with secretory otitis media. Methodology: A Quasi-Experimental study was conducted at Kulsumbai Valika Post Graduate Teaching Hospital, SITE, Karachi, Pakistan on 56 ears diagnosed with secretory otitis media from December 2022 to November 2023. Preoperative Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and tympanometry were performed to assess the patient's hearing status, with a significant hearing loss defined as 20-40 dB.. Postoperative PTA was repeated before discharge, focusing on the mean air conduction threshold at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Results: Preoperative hearing was mild (2040 dB) in 25.0% ears, moderate (4060 dB) in 37.5% ears and severe (6080 dB) in 37.5% ears. Postoperative hearing loss was mild (20-40 dB) in 60.7% ears, moderate (40-60 dB) in 26.8% ears and severe (60-80dB) in 12.5% ears. The difference between preoperative hearing and postoperative hearing loss was statistically insignificant, (p=0.285). Conclusion: Implantation of a grommet has been demonstrated to markedly enhance hearing in individuals diagnosed with secretory otitis media.