OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

Course overview

OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION (OME) IS A CONDITION IN WHICH THERE IS FLUID IN THE MIDDLE EAR, BUT NO SIGNS OF ACUTE INFECTION. AS FLUID BUILDS UP IN THE MIDDLE EAR AND EUSTACHIAN TUBE, IT PLACES PRESSURE ON THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE. THE PRESSURE PREVENTS THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE FROM VIBRATING PROPERLY, DECREASES SOUND CONDUCTION, AND THEREFORE RESULTS IN A DECREASED HEARING. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PRESENTATION OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.