Oral Corticosteroids Are Ineffective for Hearing Loss from Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

A 7-day course of oral prednisolone did not show significant benefit in improving children's hearing at 5-week follow-up.

Hearing loss from chronic otitis media with effusion remains a serious and common problem in young children. To assess whether oral steroid use improves hearing and potentially identifies those children who might be most responsive to surgical intervention, investigators conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of a 7-day course of oral prednisolone. Participants were approximately 400 children aged 2 to 8 years of age with at least 3 months of effusion and documented bilateral hearing impairment.

At 5-week follow-up, hearing loss was resolved in 40% of the steroid group compared with 33% of the placebo group (odds ratio, 1.4; P=0.16, number needed to treat, 14). Although hearing continued to improve at 6 and 12 month…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Oral Corticosteroids Are Ineffective for Hearing Loss from Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

Topics

Reviewing Author