The effect of otitis media with effusion at preschool age on some aspects of auditory perception at school age.

The relationship between otitis media with effusion (OME) at preschool age and performance on five tests of auditory perception was studied in 89 school-age children who had OME histories well documented from participation in serial screening for OME at 2-4 yr of age. The tests used at 7.5-8 yr of age were: speech-in-noise, filtered speech, binaural fusion, dichotic speech, and auditory memory. A significant effect of OME was found on the speech-in-noise test. No additional effects were demonstrated by this particular group of children.