Przewlekłe zapalenie ucha środkowego a funkcje słuchowe u dzieci w wieku szkolnym

AbstractBackground: Otitis media is one of the most common childhood diseases. If improperly treated or recurrent, it can result in chronic otitis media. To this day, there is a discussion whether otitis media affects the acquisition of linguistic knowledge and auditory functions. The results of animal studies suggest that auditory deprivation during several specific developmental stages can cause changes in the nervous system. Material and methods: Part of the research results obtained as part of screening tests carried out in 2019–2021 among students of grades 1 and 2 of primary schools in the Lubelskie Voivodeship was based on. Before the audiological tests were performed on the child, the parent/ legal guardian completed a questionnaire on hearing problems and auditory functions. The results of the tonal audiometry screening test and auditory function tests: DDT and FPT were analyzed. The research method used was the method of ex-post-facto experiment, consisting in the study of a specific, existing social event, the conditions and development of which are analyzed retrospectively. Results: In studies, otitis media occurred in 29% of the population, and in these children difficulties characteristic of auditory processing disorders (APD) were more frequent. Conclusions: 1. Long-term problems with ear infections in children do not significantly affect sound reception. 2. A very big problem in children who have had ear infections is in the auditory function. 3. The presence of chronic otitis media in children does not affect the results of auditory function tests. 4. When diagnosing auditory functions, apart from behavioral tests, also other tests (e.g. objective tests of the hearing pathway) should be used to confirm the diagnosis. 5. It is worth introducing audiological screening of children, especially in preschool age and from risk groups, for the early detection of CSOM, treatment, and early intervention of auditory processing disorder.