Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Aug;45(8):755-759.

Effect of Epitympanoplasty with Mastoid Obliteration Technique on Postoperative Rehabilitation of Hearing Impaired

• Kang MK
• Hong SH
• Boo SH
• Bae WY
• Kim CG
• Kim DY
• Park HS
• Heo SD

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify whether canal type hearing aids can be used by the patients who have undergone epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration for postoperative rehabilitation of hearing impaired and also to investigate the advantages of the complete in the canal (CIC) hearing aid for the postoperative rehabilitation of hearing impaired.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Fourty-three ears belonging to 40 adults, who were treated by epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration for cholesteatoma from April 1995 to May 1999 were involved in this study. The impressions were taken and measured postoperatively by Vernier calipers anteroposteriorly (AP) and superoinferiorly (SI). It is well known that the size of the external auditory canal (EAC) should be over 7 mm in diameter and over 2 cm in length to be able to wear the CIC type hearing aid. The shape of the EAC was also taken into consideration.
RESULTS
Thirty-five out of 43 ears were large enough to wear CIC hearing aids and all 43 for the canal (ITC) hearing aids. No ears were excluded from being able to wear a CIC or ITC hearing aid with respect to the shape of the EAC.
CONCLUSION
Canal type hearing aides can be used after epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration which is used as a treatment of cholesteatoma.

Keyword

Ear canal; Rehabilitation of hearing impaired; Hearing aid

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cholesteatoma
Correction of Hearing Impairment*
Ear
Ear Canal
Hearing Aids
Humans
Mastoid*
Rehabilitation*