Chronic otitis media (COM) frequently results in persistent hearing loss that is underrecognized and insufficiently addressed, even after successful surgical management. This expert opinion presents statements and treatment recommendations that advocate for the earlier integration of bone conduction device (BCD) solutions into the management of COM-related hearing loss....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Expert consensus supports earlier referral for bone conduction device fitting in chronic otitis media patients with persistent conductive hearing loss, but this is opinion-level evidence only and should be weighed against individual patient factors and local guidelines pending higher-quality studies.
Earlier integration of bone conduction devices in chronic otitis media management could reduce the period of untreated hearing loss and improve quality of life for a large, often under-rehabilitated population.
- 01Expert opinion advocates for early use of bone conduction devices (BCDs) in chronic otitis media (COM) patients.
- 02Recommendation extends to post-surgical cases where hearing loss persists.
- 03Bone conduction devices bypass the damaged middle ear by transmitting sound through skull bone.
- 04Evidence base is expert opinion (Oxford Level 5); no RCT or comparative study data underpins this recommendation.
- 05Early BCD fitting may reduce duration of untreated hearing loss in COM patients.
Early integration of bone conduction devices improves hearing rehabilitation outcomes in chronic otitis media patients.
opinionpartially supportedBone conduction devices are appropriate for post-surgical chronic otitis media patients with persistent hearing loss.
opinionpartially supported- PMID
- 42533679
- DOI
- 10.7874/jao.2026.00073.
- Journal
- Journal of Audiology and Otology
- Publication type
- editorial
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Chronic otitis media patients with persistent hearing loss, including post-surgical cases
- Intervention
- Early integration of bone conduction devices in hearing rehabilitation
Primary outcomes
Hearing rehabilitation outcomes in chronic otitis media; Timing of bone conduction device integration