Wideband tympanometry and pressurised otoacoustic emissions in children with surgical excision of palatine and/or pharyngeal tonsils

Abstract: Palatine and pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy may lead to dysfunction of the auditory tube due to a propensity towards infection, potentially giving rise to otitis media. Methods: This is a quantitative and longitudinal study, developed from 2019 to 2021, at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). The sample comprised 15 participants aged 5 to 12 years (mean 7.9 years), 12 male and 3 female, arranged into two groups: children diagnosed with pharyngeal and/or palatine tonsil hypertrophy who were candidates for surgery (G1) and chil-dren of them who were later evaluated after surgery (G2). As part of the test, an otoscopy, logo-audiometry, pure-tone threshold audiometry, wideband tympanometry (ambient and peak pressure), and otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs and DPOAEs, both at ambient and peak pressure) were all done. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between phases in pure tone audiometry, in terms of 226 Hz tympanometry, wideband tympanometry in peak pressure conditions, in the amplitude measurement TEOAEs in both pressure conditions and in DPOAEs in ambient pressure conditions, and in the signal/noise measurement in both pressure in DPOAEs. Conclusions: Hearing tests were different for subjects with palatine and pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy compared to the post-surgical group.