Synopsis of key findings
This study reports differing symptoms and different HRQoL depending on the type of CMED. Although an overall clinically relevant improvement in HRQoL19 was found after surgical therapy, subgroup analysis only revealed significant improvement in COM with epitympanic cholesteatoma, COM without cholesteatoma and persistent mastoid cavity without recurrent cholesteatoma. No significant improvements were found in COM with pars tensa cholesteatoma, persistent mastoid cavity with recurrent cholesteatoma, and revision ossiculoplasty for hearing restoration. Postoperatively, however, no differences in HRQoL were found.