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Table 1 Definitions of diagnostic subgroups of otitis media

From: The Otitis Media-6 questionnaire: psychometric properties with emphasis on factor structure and interpretability

AOM:

Middle ear effusion and acute onset of signs and symptoms of middle ear inflammation such as fever, otalgia, possible otorrhoea and discomfort that may result in interference with or precludes normal activity or sleep [3].

Recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) is defined by the presence of at least 3 episodes of acute otitis media in 6 months or 4 or more episodes in 1 year [4].

OME:

Middle ear effusion without signs or symptoms of acute ear infection [2]. Disease severity of OME ranges from no symptoms to lowered activity level and sleep disturbances or even significant hearing loss and speech impairment.