[Assessment of the hearing organ in the patients with allergic perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis]

Abstract

We studied 60 patients with allergic rhinitis (30 with seasonal and 30 with perennial rhinitis). Assessment of atopic status was based on medical history, physical examination, skin-prick testing, total IgE levels and nasal smears. Audiometry and tympanometry have been performed. Audiometric conductive hearing loss was found in 26.7% patients with perennial rhinitis and in 10% patients with seasonal rhinitis. Type B tympanogram were found in 20% of the patients with perennial rhinitis and in 3.33% of the patients with seasonal rhinitis. Type C tympanogram were found in 20% of the patients with perennial and in 6.67% with seasonal rhinitis. Secretory otitis media and retraction pockets were more common in patients with perennial rhinitis allergy. Local allergic reaction in the middle ear and dysfunction of the Eustachian tube can be the most responsible for these disorders. Tympanostomy and ventilation tubes were needed in secretory otitis and myringoplasty in the cases of the retraction pockets. Appropriate treatment of allergic rhinitis may decrease the need and frequency of surgical procedures and may reduce costs associated with hospitalization.