■ OBJECTIVES: OME is frequent and usually long lasting condition, primarily attached to childhood. The aim of the study was to assess the cochlear activity in patients with history of OME represented by TEOAEs changes.

■ MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 85 patients with history of treated otitis media with effusion during childhood. In 35 of them OME treatment included grommets insertion. Control group was consisted of 20 patients without history of OME. Patients were between 18 and 25 years old. Each of them underwent PTA, tympanometry stapes reflex and TEOAEs. We divided them into 2 groups: first group was consisted of patients with PTA thresholds within normal range, tympanograms type A. In the second group we classified patients with slightly elevated PTA thresholds up to 25 dB, and tympanograms type B or C. TEOAEs recordings of each group were statististicly analyzed, and compared to control group results.

■ RESULTS: TEOAEs recordings showed lowest levels in patients of the second group, as expected. Slight decrease in TEOAEs levels were noted in patients of the first examination group, with normal PTA and tympanometry results. These findings suggest that OME in childhood may result with minor or irreversible damage to outer hair cells in the cochlea, as well as motility of the tympano-ossicular chain of the middle ear.