Audiological Profile in Adenoid Hypertrophy

The study aims to investigate the correlation between grade of adenoid hypertrophy and severity of hearing loss and to profile tympanometric findings in children with Adenoid Hypertrophy.

A within group comparison study was carried out in Father Muller College, Department of Speech and Hearing, Mangalore where 123 patients diagnosed with Adenoid Hypertrophy (86 males and 37 females; mean age 7.146; range 2 to 12 years) were analyzed using detailed case history, Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and Tympanometry.

The most prevalent presenting problems with adenoid hypertrophy were snoring (68.29%), mouth breathing (57.72%) and reduced hearing (35.77%). PTA results showed majority had bilateral hearing loss (60.27%). In the 230 ears that were tested, 50.85% had hearing loss. Majority of these ears had a minimal loss (23.91%), followed by mild loss (18.69%), moderate loss (7.82%), and moderately severe loss (0.43%). No correlation was found between the grade of Adenoid hypertrophy and the severity of hearing loss noted (p > 0.05). According to tympanometric findings, the most common tympanogram pattern was ‘B’ type (39.15%), ‘A’ type (31.60%), and ‘C’ type (18.39%). A small proportion of the population had ‘As’ (4.71%), ‘Cs’ (5.66%), and ‘Ad’ (0.47%). No correlation was found between the grade of adenoid hypertrophy and the type of tympanogram obtained (p > 0.05). 

In a significant percentage of cases, Adenoid hypertrophy affects the middle ear leading to conductive hearing loss. If left untreated it can lead to delayed speech and language development, auditory processing disorders, mental retardation, and physical and social complications. These are avoidable through primary health care education, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment.