Hearing Efficiency in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: OSMF, or oral submucous fibrosis, is a chronic, progressive disease of the oral mucosa brought on by things like areca-nut chewing, chili consumption, autoimmunity, and hereditary predisposition. The disorder, caused by fibrosis of the oral mucosa, first manifests as a burning sensation and an aversion for spicy foods, and then progresses to a gradual reduction in mouth opening. When fibrosis progresses to the nasopharynx, it interferes with speech and hearing. This study was started since there wasn't enough evidence showing how common hearing loss is among OSMF patients.  Materials and methods: Study participants with varied degrees of Oral Submucous Fibrosis will have their hearing abilities evaluated. 50 persons with OSMF of varied severity who underwent audiometric testing are shown. The effects of different OSMF levels on hearing were analyzed. Results: The recent study demonstrated a significant link between OSMF and hearing impairment. Because of the involvement of the palate muscles, OSMF has the potential to reduce the patency of the Eustachian tube, leading to conductive hearing loss. Conclusion: Therefore, ENT assessment and therapy for hearing loss should be part of the protocol for treating OSMF patients in order to improve treatment outcomes.