Physical and behavioral aspects of middle ear disease in school children.

Middle ear disease is today's primary aural health problem in school-age children. Until recently, pediatric health researchers were aware only of the medical consequences that middle ear disease had no children. Except in a few cases of chronic otitis media, the effects of middle ear disease were considered transitory. However, current research on middle ear disease suggests permanent changes in hearing sensitivity, reduced development of the auditory neural network and developmental delays in speech, language and cognitive skills dependent on hearing. This article presents a review of recent studies on the physical and behavioral aspects of middle ear disease and its sequelae in school children.