Guidance
Recommendations for research
Recommendations for research
The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.
Key recommendations for research
1 Hearing aids
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of air conduction and bone conduction hearing aids/devices for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion (OME) in children under 12 years?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on management of hearing loss.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review J: hearing aids/devices for hearing loss associated with OME in children under 12 years.
2 Grommets
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of grommets for hearing loss associated with OME in children under 12 years?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on grommets.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: ventilation tubes.
3 Natural history
What is the progression, resolution and recurrence of OME with and without hearing loss?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on reassessment.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: natural history of OME without hearing loss and evidence review D: natural history of OME-related hearing loss.
4 Grommets
What is the effectiveness of grommets for managing OME with associated hearing loss for children with craniofacial abnormalities?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on grommets.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: ventilation tubes.
5 Prevention of otorrhoea
What water precautions are effective in preventing otorrhea after ventilation tube (grommet) surgery for hearing loss associated with OME in children under 12 years?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on prevention of otorrhoea.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review K: preventing otorrhoea after surgery for hearing loss associated with OME in children.
Other recommendations for research
Non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions
What is the effectiveness of topical nasal steroids on the management of OME and OME-related hearing loss in children under 12 years?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions for children with OME.
Non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions
What is the effect of antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mucolytics, proton pump inhibitors and decongestants on hearing in children with OME and chronic respiratory conditions?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions.
Follow up after surgical treatment
What should the follow-up strategy be after surgical treatment for OME-related hearing loss in children under 12 years?
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on follow up after surgical treatment.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review M: follow up after surgical treatment.