What condition is characterized by new onset hearing loss and chronic ear drainage despite antibiotic therapy?

Cholesteatoma is a condition that results in abnormal skin growth in the middle ear and/or mastoid process. It often occurs as a complication of chronic ear infections. The presence of new onset hearing loss and chronic ear drainage, even with antibiotic therapy, suggests that there is a persistent problem in the middle ear, which is characteristic of a cholesteatoma. This abnormal growth can erode surrounding structures and lead to further complications, including significant hearing loss.

In contrast, acute otitis media usually presents with symptoms like ear pain, fever, and bulging of the tympanic membrane, but does not typically cause ongoing drainage or significant hearing loss after the acute phase is managed. Otosclerosis, on the other hand, is a condition affecting the bone of the middle ear that leads to progressive conductive hearing loss, but it does not usually involve chronic drainage. Lastly, mastoiditis is a serious condition involving inflammation of the mastoid bone due to untreated acute otitis media, which can also present with ear drainage and hearing loss, but it generally follows an acute presentation rather than presenting with new onset hearing loss in the context provided.