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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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

6 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 .

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions for children with OME.

7 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 .

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: non-antimicrobial pharmacological interventions.

8 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 .

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review M: follow up after surgical treatment.