Spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry in the diagnosis of middle-ear fluid in children.

Diagnosis of otitis media is based on detection of middle-ear fluid (MEF) and is both important and difficult to achieve. Also non-infectious MEF is important to detect, since it can compromise hearing. In this prospective, blinded study, spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) was evaluated as an indicator of MEF among children.

Detection of middle-ear fluid in children with spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry: a screening tool for nurses?

Objective: To evaluate the validity of spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) in the hands of nurses in screening children for middle-ear fluid (MEF).

Design: Prospective, blinded study.

Setting: A satellite study within the Finnish Otitis Media Vaccine Trial in primary care in 1995-99.