Conductive hearing loss in children and adults

Definition

A hearing loss due to pathology affecting the transmission of sound from the environment to the cochleaMaximum loss of 50-60 dBHL, therefore no more than mild/moderate

Audiometric findings of low frequency conductive hearing loss

Otoscopy and the normal tympanic membrane

CHL in children

Middle ear effusion (glue ear)incidence

aetiologypredisposing factorsclinical findingstreatment – surgical

medicalothers

Glue ear presentations are variable

Grommets in treatment of glue ear

Other causes of CHL

Infections – acute otitis externa

acute otitis media

Chronic suppurative otitis externa

Chronic suppurative otitis media

Cholesteatoma

Otosclerosis

Trauma to the ossicular system and/or tympanic membrane from changes of middle ear/external canal pressure

Barotrauma

Miscellaneous• Congenital abnormalities – atresia• Foreign bodies/wax• Benign tumours of

outer/middle ear• Trauma to ear

SurgicalMedicalOthers – hearing aidsSupport services

Treatment