A Case–Control Study on the Association Between Endoscopic ACE Grade of Adenoid Hypertrophy and Hearing Loss in Children and Its Impact on Speech and Language Development

To establish an association between adenoid hypertrophy and hearing loss and its impact on speech and language in pediatric age group. A prospective case control study done in a tertiary hospital in South India. Twenty children with hearing loss were recruited in the study group and twenty-four children as controls. These groups underwent at detailed otorhinolaryngologic examination, hearing and speech evaluation. The size of the adenoids was graded endoscopically. Findings between the two groups were compared and analysed. Our study found statistically significant association between adenoid hypertrophy with choanal obstruction and abutment of eustachian tube opening seen on endoscopy with hearing loss (p = 0.025). The children with hearing loss also had speech and language delay (p = 0.004). Children with enlarged adenoids obstructing the > 50% of the choanae or abutting the eustachian tube opening are more likely to have hearing loss and may develop speech and language delay. The ACE endoscopic adenoid grading system is consistent and reliable in evaluation of adenoids.