Hearing loss in bullous myringitis

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of sensorineural and mixed hearing loss in patients with bullous myringitis. Methods: Prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care medical center. Patients diagnosed as having bullous myringitis in our medical center between 2007 and 2009, underwent pure-tone audiometry upon presentation and were treated according to physicians' preferences. Results: Bullous myringitis was diagnosed in 43 patients (16 males, 27 females) with a mean age of 30.9 years (range 15-92). Thirty-six (83.7%) had unilateral infection (24 right, 12 left), and 7 (16.3%) had bilateral involvement. The most common type of hearing loss was mixed, detected in 24 patients (55.8%) and involving 27 of the 50 affected ears (54%). Seven patients (16.3%) had a conductive hearing loss, involving 9 ears (18%). Three patients (6.9%) presented with sensorineural hearing loss involving 5 ears (10%). The mean air-bone gap was 20.6 ± 8.8. dB. Down-slope audiometry was noted in 68.7% of the affected ears, followed by a U-shaped curve (25%). The sensorineural component mainly involved the high frequencies and the hearing loss ranged from slight to severe. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate a high incidence of mixed or sensorineural hearing loss in bullous myringitis patients, and emphasize the need for routine early audiometric evaluation and appropriate follow up for individuals diagnosed as having bullous myringitis.