Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children

This study attempted to characterize environmental, nutritional, and genetic factors in rural Alaska Native peoples of Northwest Alaska; however, results are inconclusive, and careful consideration for how the Coronavirus disease pandemic may have affected healthcare behavior and potentially introduced bias in the sample is prudent. There continues to be a need for prospective research to characterize factors influencing otitis media-related hearing loss so that children at the highest risk can be identified early and receive preventive care.