Learning Objectives:

Introduction: The Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12) is a 12-item multiple-choice disease-specific health-relatedquality-of-life (HRQoL) questionnaire.COMQ-12 allowscorrelation of the patient's expectations from treatment with the need for surgical intervention. We validated the questionnaire and obtained permission by the authors for its use. As a first step, as part of the development and adaptation of the COMQ-12 we must define normal scores, typical for the healthy population.

Methods: The study included healthy volunteers who were asked to complete a COMQ-12. Also the following data were recorded: sex, age, and whether they had a history of ear problems other than that of chronic otitis media (COM); this included symptoms of hearing loss, dizziness,tinnitus, ear discomfort, history of ear infections. Patients with COM were excluded from the study.

Results: The study included 60 people: 23 men (38,3%), 37 women (61,7%). The average age of the respondents was 34 (16–61). 27 people (45%) did not show any complaints. 33 people (55%) noted the presence of some ear problems, namely: tinnitus – 15 (25%), dizziness – 10 (16,7%), hearing loss – 6 (10%), ear discomfort – 12 (20%), history of ear infections – 16 (26,7%). COMQ-12 scores overall ranged from 0 to 14 among all respondents with a mean score of 3,55. Among patients without complaints average score is 2.07 (range 0–8), among patients with complaints – 4,78 (range 0–14). The median COMQ-12 score overall was 2,5 and the modal score was 0 with 19 (31,7%) participants achieving this score. 75% of respondents achieved a score of 5 or less, 95% of respondents achieved a score of 10 or less out of a possible maximum of 60.

Conclusion: We mustpay attention to a group of patients with COMQ-12 scores less than 5 and determine carefullythe need of surgical intervention due to the patients expectations.