Evaluation of Self-Report by Adults of Childhood Otitis Media Histories

Abstract

Several studies have suggested that reported auditory disabilities in adults are associated with reported histories of otitis media (OM) in childhood. However, no evaluation has previously been made of the accuracy of recall of childhood OM by adult subjects. In an investigation in university students, questionnaire responses on childhood OM histories were evaluated for 31 subjects reporting substantial OM histories and 34 subjects reporting no known OM histories. Responses were compared with information obtained from GP (Family Doctor) records and parents. Agreement was very good for questions on ENT surgery, reasonably good for attendances at ENT clinics and poorer for GP attendances. It was concluded that the questionnaire approach was sufficiently valid in obtaining information from adults about childhood OM histories.

Key Words:

• Otitis media
• Auditory disability