[Comprehensive evaluation of the middle ear function in children with secretory otitis media after tympanotomy tube insertion].

Objective: To study the method on comprehensive evaluation of the middle ear function in children with secretory otitis media (SOM) after tympanotomy tube insertion.

Method: Ear canal volume (ECV), pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission(DPOAE) were carried out in 31 children(43 ears) with SOM before and 1 month after tube insertion,in the meantime Eustachian tube function was recorded. The tympanotomy tube was observed under microscope.

Result: After one month of tube insertion, the hearing level was improved in 39 ears with an ECV > 2.0 ml. In addition,the detection rate and amplitude of DPOAE were significantly increased in these 39 ears. No case of the function of Eustachian tube was complete recovered.

Conclusion: ECV, pure tone audiometry, DPOAE and inflation-deflation test are significantly clinical worth for comprehensive evaluation of the middle ear function in children with SOM after tympanotomy tube insertion.