Use of EarPopper® for The Treatment of Otitis Media with Effusion: A First Pilot Study in Africa

Abstract

Background: A missed or non-diagnosed otitis media with effusion at very early age in life can impair the cognitive developmental milestone, especially hearing. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment (medical, surgical or physiological) is pertinent. A search for an inexpensive, minimally invasive method led to the development of EarPopper®
Methodology: A prospective interventional study on the use of EarPopper® in the treatment of otitis media with effusion. The EarPopper® uses the Politzer method of pressure equilibration to decongest the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
Result: Seven patients (4 males, 3 females) aged between 11 and 54 years were enrolled. Five were bilateral and 2 were unilateral (12 ears). All had type B curves and mild to moderate conductive hearing loss. The pre-therapy EarPopper Scoring System were 60-98%, while the post therapy result dropped to 0-25%.
Conclusion: The EarPopper® showed a good prospect in the treatment of otitis media with effusion in an African population.

Key words: Otorhinolaryngologic diseases, EarPopper Scoring System, Pilot study, Ear diseases, Otitis media