A 3-year-old Aboriginal boy from a remote community is brought to clinic for poor hearing and delayed speech. He has had multiple episodes of otitis m...

Question

A 3-year-old Aboriginal boy from a remote community is brought to clinic for poor hearing and delayed speech. He has had multiple episodes of otitis media. Otoscopy shows bilateral dull, retracted tympanic membranes with air-fluid levels. Audiology confirms conductive hearing loss. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent ENT referral for consideration of tympanostomy tubes and hearing support

Answer

Reassure and review hearing in 12 months

Answer

Start repeated short courses of oral antibiotics whenever he has a cold

Answer

Prescribe long-term oral steroids

Answer

Advise that hearing aids are ineffective in otitis media with effusion

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Otitis media with effusion and hearing loss