American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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EBP Compendium: Summary of Clinical Practice Guideline

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Medical Management of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children 2 Months to 13 Years of Age
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (2004).
Cincinnati (OH): Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 11 pages.

AGREE Rating: Highly Recommended

Description:

This guideline provides recommendations for the identification and management of children 2 months to 13 years of age with otitis media with effusion. The target audience of these guidelines include physicians, otolaryngologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and caregivers.

Recommendations:

  • Screening/Assessment
    • General Findings
      • A history and examination should include documentation of any hearing and speech concerns.
      • “It is recommended that the child with OME who is at risk for developmental difficulties be identified early” (p. 2).
    • Assessment Instruments
      • Pneumatic Otoscopy - “It is recommended that OME be diagnosed by the presence of middle ear effusion, as assessed by pneumatic otoscopy, without signs and symptoms of acute inflammation” (p. 2).
      • Tympanometry - “It is recommended that tympanometry may be used to enhance accuracy when diagnosing OME” (p. 2).
  • Management
    • Speech & Language
      • “It is recommended that a child with signs of speech delay be referred for a speech and language evaluation” (p. 5).
      • Families with a child at risk for speech or language delay should be educated regarding preventive strategies.
      • Children with OME who are at risk for developmental difficulties should be aggressively managed including earlier referral for audiologic evaluation and referral for speech/language assessment.
    • Hearing
      • “It is recommended that a child be referred for an audiologic evaluation if OME persists for at least 3 months, if concerns are noted for hearing, speech or language, by parents, teachers, or healthcare providers, or 3 months after a prior audiologic evaluation in a child being observed with OME” (p. 4).
      • Children with OME who are at risk for developmental difficulties should be aggressively managed including earlier referral for audiologic evaluation and referral for speech/language assessment.

Keywords: Otitis Media

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Added to Compendium: November 2010

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