Study of prevalence and aetiology of the hearing loss amongst school going children

School survey study to assess the prevalence rates and aetiological factors causing hearing loss among children in and around Pune Cantonment covering urban and semiurban population has been carried out. We encountered deafness prevalence rate of 11.7% and chronic suppurative otitis media (4.75% of the deaf children) the commonest cause. Maximum number of patients were in age group of 6-11 years and semiurban children and those from lower socio-econimic group had higher prevalence rate as compared to urban children and those from upper socio-econimic group. Relevant suggestions for prevention and management of deafness have been made. This study emphasizes the fact at most of the aetiological factors in causing hearing impairment in school going children are treatable and hence deafness can be prevented to a large extent if remedial measures are taken in time.     

吉林省听力障碍及耳疾流行病学调查研究

目的明确吉林省以人群为基础的耳疾与听力障碍的流行病学情况,为吉林省耳疾的防治工作提供科学依据。方法应用《WHO耳疾与听觉障碍调查方案》,通过容量比例概率抽样(PPS)的方法选择40个调查点,实际调查人数为6976人。耳聋残疾的定义和听觉障碍程度的分级采用WHO/PDH97.3推荐的标准,采用EARFORM V6.2(由WHO提供)软件进行资料输入和基本分析。结果911(13.1%)人有听力减退,311(4.5%)人存在听力残疾;城乡人群听力减退率和听力残疾患病率差异无显著性;男性听力减退和听力残疾患病率明显高于女性,差异有显著性;听力减退和听力残疾主要集中在60岁以上人群;患病率较高的耳疾病有耵聍(1.2%),慢性化脓性中耳炎(0.7%),鼓膜干性穿孔(1.4%),分泌性中耳炎(1.0%);19.3%的调查对象需要耳科或听力干预。结论所有听力减退的人群中,老年性耳聋患病率最高。听力残疾的患病率有上升的趋势,急需制定新的预防和治疗听力障碍和耳疾病的政策。     

老年人听力减退和耳疾流行病学调查研究

目的明确江苏省老年人听力减退和耳疾流行病学情况，为制订防治和康复计划提供科学依据。方法用容量比例概率抽样方法对江苏省40个调查点进行听力和耳疾调查（WHO方案），抽取年龄≥60岁的老年人共计1261人进行统计分析。结果听力减退患病率为58.1％（标准化患病率：全国59．5％，江苏省60.9％），其中轻度33．1％，中度17．8％，重度5.9％，极重度1.3％；听力残疾患病率为25．0％（标准化患病率：全国26．6％，江苏省28．1％）。年龄、性别、城乡之间的差异有统计学意义。耳疾的患病率为：外耳畸形0.2％，耵聍栓塞1．7％，外耳道炎0.1％，真菌感染0．5％，分泌性中耳炎1．2％，慢性化脓性中耳炎1.6％，鼓膜干性穿孔2.3％。引起听力减退的可能原因：耳疾2．9％，非感染状态92.6％，遗传因素0．3％，病因不明4，2％。干预需求：调查人群中31.1％需要配戴助听器，2．3％需要药物治疗，0.9％需要外科非急诊治疗，1.0％需要其他治疗。结论老年人听力减退和听力残疾患病率较1987年的调查明显升高，应引起政府和全社会的更多关注。制订和执行科学的防治和康复计划是完全必要和十分迫切的。     

Epidemiology of acute otitis media among Saudi children

An epidemiological survey was carried out with 9540 children aged up to 12 years to study the prevalence of acute suppurative otitis media and the rate of hearing impairment. A total of 100 (1.05%) were diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM). The incidence was found to be higher among young children up to 4-years-old and lower in the age group 8-12 years. The male children had slightly higher rate of AOM as compared with female (1.36 and 0.80%), respectively, (P < 0.01). The prevalence of AOM in the children from the different provinces varied, being higher in those from the Southern and Central regions. Also it was found that the prevalence of ASOM was higher among children whose parents were cousins compared with non-relative parents (1.38 and 0.74%) (P > 0.001). Those with poor socio-economic condition showed higher rate especially those living in the Southern part with poor or inadequate health services provided. ASOM was significantly associated with hearing impairment (P < 0.00001).     

Pattern of ear diseases in rural school children: Experiences of free health camps in Nepal

Objective

This study was done to find out the prevalence of different types of ear disease in rural school children of Nepal.

Material and methods

This is a prospective cross-sectional study among 2000 children aged between 5 and 13 years. Children those attending free health camps in rural places of six districts of Nepal were included. These free health camps were organized either by Healthy Human Society (non-governmental organization run by doctors of Nepal) or in association with other organizations. All these children were interviewed and examined otoscopically from January 2006 to December 2008. Informed consent was taken from guardians to participate in this study.Results are expressed in numbers and percentages.

Results

Out of 2000 children, 64.2% were male and 35.8% female children. The most common ear diseases were wax (62.0%), followed by chronic suppurative otitis media (7.6%) and otitis media with effusion (4.7%). In CSOM, there was 83.0% tubotympanic type. Both the wax and CSOM were common in 5-7 years age group. Overall ear diseases were present in 81.6% children.

Conclusion

Wax followed by chronic suppurative otitis media and otitis media with effusion were the most common ear diseases in rural school children of Nepal. Improvement of socioeconomic status and health care facilities, such as repetitions of free health camps will be helpful in reducing the prevalence of ear diseases.     

Chronic suppurative otitis media in school going children

The morbidity and mortality associated with otitis media is really a challenge for the health care systems. This study is a small attempt to look into the magnitude of this problem in the society, where in school going children in Yavatmal city were studied. A total of 4104 students were studied. It was found that the overall prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media in Yavatmal city is 3%. The incidence of acute otitis media was found to be 1.3% Chronic suppurative otitis media was commoner in students belonging to low socioeconomic strata and its association with adenoid hypertrophy was statistically significant. The authors recommend that a few more such studies should be carried out in different parts of the country to collect vital data for the health care system managers. Suppurative otitis media, school children, Yavatmal city.     

Chronic otitis media and subsequent hearing loss in children from the Himalayan region residing in Buddhist Monastic schools of Nepal

ObjectivesThe main objective of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of chronic otitis media and determine the corresponding hearing loss in children from Nepal’s Himalayan region now residing in Buddhist Monastic schools of Nepal.MethodsThe study was conducted among children at Buddhist monastic school in different parts of Nepal. A total of 3174 children aged between 5 and 15 years, who were originally from the Himalayan region of Nepal and were currently residing in monastic schools, were screened for ear problems and hearing loss. They were examined by otoscope to diagnose chronic otitis media. Hearing was evaluated by pure tone audiometer, and 0.5–4 kHz air conduction hearing threshold was measured and documented.ResultsOf the total of 3174 children who were screened for ear diseases and hearing loss, monks constituted 76.21% (n = 2419) and Nuns 23.78% (n = 755). Chronic otitis media was the most common otoscopic finding during the screening, and it affected a total of 344 (10.83%) children. Out of these 344, hearing loss of varying degrees was observed in 5.42% (n = 172) children.ConclusionThere is high prevalence of chronic otitis media in children belonging to the Himalayan region of Nepal, and it is the main cause of avoidable hearing loss. Timely diagnosis and treatment of chronic otitis media could prevent unnecessary hearing loss in these children.     

Chronic suppurative otitis media: prevalence and practices among rural South Indian children.

In order to determine the prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in rural South Indian children, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 914 children (484 boys and 430 girls) from four primary schools and 12 nurseries (balwadis; preschool), of adjacent villages of North Arcot District of Tamil Nadu state. The preschool children were aged 2-5 years, while the ages of the primary school children ranged from 6 to 10 years. The overall prevalence rate of CSOM was found to be 6%. The disease was equally prevalent in preschool children (5.7%) and primary school children (6.2%) (P = 0.94). Cholesteatomatous ear disease was observed in 1.2% of children, those of the older age group having a slightly higher prevalence rate (1.5%) than the younger age group (0.7%). Parental beliefs and existing practices with respect to the disease are also presented.     

Comparative prevalence of otitis media in children living in urban slums,non-slum urban and rural areas of Delhi

PurposeThe study aimed to determine the prevalence and profile of otitis media in different parts of a city, i.e. non-slum urban areas, urban slums and rural areas.MethodologyA door to door survey was conducted in identified areas of Delhi. A total of 3000 children (0–15 years) were randomly selected and examined for presence of otitis media. These children were equally distributed in the three areas under consideration. Data was analyzed to establish the prevalence of different types of otitis media. Chi-square test was then applied to compare disease prevalence among the three areas.Results7.1% of the study population was identified with otitis media, which includes CSOM (4.26%), OME (2.5%) and ASOM (0.4%). In the non-slum urban parts of the city, 4.6% children had otitis media. This was significantly lower compared to 7% children in rural parts of Delhi and 9.9% in urban slums of the city. The prevalence of CSOM was considerably higher in slum areas (7.2%) as compared with rural (3%) and non-slum urban areas (2.6%).ConclusionEar infections are significantly more common in urban slums as compared to non-slum city areas and rural parts of Delhi.     

The hearing profile of Nigerian school children

The paucity of up-to-date and representative epidemiological data on hearing disorders in Nigeria has been observed as undermining the effective advocacy of prevention initiatives. This study attempts to address this problem by evaluating the prevalence and pattern of hearing impairment in school entrants. Parental interviews, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometric screening (frequency 0.5-4 kHz) and tympanometric examinations were conducted for a representative sample of 359 school children in an inner city area of Lagos. The prevalence of hearing loss was 13.9%. Middle ear abnormalities were noted in 20.9% of the study population, of which 18.7% were reported with otitis media with effusion. Impacted cerumen, documented in 189 children (52.6%), was the most common disorder. It showed significant association with hearing loss (P<0.001) and school performance (P<0.01). Tympanic membrane abnormalities were observed in 144 (40.1%) children. Of these, 45 (31.3%) showed abnormal tympanograms while 28 (19.4%) reported hearing loss (P<0.05). The early detection and management of hearing problems is relatively rare, thus precluding the determination of possible aetiological factors for the observed abnormalities. Poor public awareness, dearth of relevant facilities and the lack of early screening programmes are major known contributory factors. The well established national immunisation programme offers a cost-effective platform within the primary health-care system for addressing the high prevalence of hearing abnormalities in school children.     

Prevalence of middle ear pathologies in children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVES: In poor countries, hearing aids are too expensive for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children's parents to offer for their children. These children may have middle ear problem, this will aggravate the level of hearing loss which may lead to delay in their ability to speak. This study is to highlight the prevalence of middle ear pathology in SNHL children. METHODS: Two hundred children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were selected in our study from the outpatient clinic of ENT department of Sohag University Hospital, Egypt. Children were classified into three categories according to their middle ear status. They were normal middle ear, middle ear with unhealthy tympanic membrane or otitis media with intact drum and chronic suppurative otitis media with perforation. RESULTS: Seventy percent of cases were normal, 25% had middle ear problem with intact tympanic membrane and 5% had chronic suppurative otitis media with perforation. CONCLUSION: Thirty percent of SNHL children have middle ear pathology which aggravate the degree of hearing loss. Regular evaluation of SNHL children to treat those having middle ear pathology medically and/or surgically and this may help those having no ability to have hearing aids to learn language early.     

Evaluation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in patients with chronic otitis media

IntroductionIn recent years, scientific evidence has shown that chronic otitis media may cause balance and vestibular dysfunction.ObjectiveTo compare the results of the video head impulse test (gain and symmetry of the vestibulo-ocular reflex and presence of covert and overt saccades) in patients with chronic otitis media and controls.MethodsCross-sectional study of patients with chronic otitis media (study group), aged between 18 and 60 years. The patients in the study group were further divided according to the chronic otitis media type as (1) non-suppurative, (2) suppurative, and (3) cholesteatomatous. For the comparative analysis, we selected volunteers with no history of ear and vestibular diseases (control group), who met the same inclusion and exclusion criteria as the study group. Patients in both groups underwent a video head impulse test.ResultsThe study group consisted of 96 volunteers, and the control group of 61 individuals. The prevalence of vestibular symptoms was 66% in the study group and 3.2% in the control group (p < 0.001). The results show a higher prevalence of changes in the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (22.9%) and corrective saccades (12.6%) in the chronic otitis media group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Despite the higher prevalence of changes in gain, the average vestibulo-ocular reflex gains in the chronic otitis media groups were within the pre-defined values ??of normality; however, the mean vestibulo-ocular reflex gain in the anterior semicircular canal was statistically worse in the cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media group compared to controls (p < 0.001). Regarding the corrective saccades, the prevalence of saccades was statistically higher in the suppurative and cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media subgroups compared to the non-suppurative and control groups (p = 0.004).ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that chronic otitis media is associated with a higher prevalence of vestibular symptoms and also a higher prevalence of changes in gain and corrective saccades when compared to controls.     

Prevalence and impact of chronic otitis media in school age children in Brazil. First epidemiologic study concerning chronic otitis media in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: The first epidemiological study carried out in Latin America to investigate the prevalence of otological disease and its impact in a representative random sample of the school children population. METHODS: A cross sectional epidemiological survey to investigate the epidemiology of otitis in a representative random sample of 1119 children and adolescents from a total of 486166 elementary and high-school students, aged 6-18 years, regularly registered in one of the 521 public and private schools of the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, southern Brazil. The interviews were conducted individually, in the school, by an otolaryngologist or a pediatrician. The interview included all of the personal data and also detailed questions regarding otological disorders and hearing. The otological examination was carried out with Mini-Heine otoscopes and the audiometric evaluation with the AudioScope 3 with 25dB intensity. The questionnaire and basic procedures for medical examination had been previously tested through a pilot test in two schools. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic otitis media was 0.94%. Impacted wax was found in 12.3% of the students. The prevalence of abnormalities (excluding wax) in the otoscopy examination was 10.5%. It was found that 8.3% of students had a past history of otitis and 7.7% had a past history of otorrhea. These two special groups presented statistically significant associations with chronic otitis media, hearing loss and otolaryngological surgeries (when compared with the other school children). Parents and school children seemed significantly able to identify a special group of children with past history of otitis during childhood.     

Otitis media in Greenland children: acute, chronic and secretory otitis media in three- to eight-year-olds

The middle ear status was examined in 142 children aged three to eight years from Sukkertoppen and Kangamiut in Greenland. The investigation is based on social-pediatric and otologic histories and on objective examination using otomicroscopy and tympanometry. Three-fourths of the small children had a previous history of otitis, some with repeated instances. Otomicroscopic findings revealed suppurative, chronic otitis in 6% and sequelae of chronic otitis in 13%. Tympanometry disclosed a reduced middle ear pressure in another 26% of the ears examined. Comparison of children with healthy ears with the groups with affections of the middle ear showed a tendency to an increased risk of otitis in families at a low social stratum, whereas the mode of habitation seemed insignificant. Finally, a large milk intake both in connection with breast-feeding and later in life seemed to reduce the frequency of otitis. The investigation showed that acute otitis and chronic otitis media in particular are more prominent in Greenland than in Denmark. Attention is drawn to the handicap associated with a high incidence of chronic otitis media and the concomitant hearing loss to a population isolated in point of language. The successful achievements of a health information campaign and an active therapeutic program, which has reduced the prevalence of chronic otitis among the Innuit population native to Alaska and Canada, provides the rationale for an increased otologic effort in Greenland.     

Does the prevalence of otolaryngological diseases in deaf children differ from children without hearing impairment?

There is no enough data about the prevalence of otorhinolaryngological (ORL) diseases in deaf children. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of ORL diseases among deaf children and compare children from a school for the deaf with those attending regular primary schools for the presence of ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems. The subjects were 1,282 children attending three primary schools in the province of Duzce and 572 hearing-impaired children from eight schools for the deaf. Following ENT examinations, ORL findings were statistically compared between two groups using a Chi-square test and P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Upper airway pathologies including chronic tonsillitis, rhinitis, septal deviation and tubal dysfunction, and chronic otitis media (COM) were found to be statistically higher in deaf children than in children without hearing impairment. Although the incidence of middle ear effusion was found to be higher in deaf children, it was not statistically significant. On the other hand, the incidence of impacted wax was lower in deaf children than others. In conclusion, we should have enough data on the prevalence of ORL diseases in deaf children to give a clue to help prevent ORL diseases and if we can detect them early, we can solve the problems before they become more complicated and we can rehabilitate these children better.     

慢性化脓性中耳炎与感音神经性聋的相关性分析

目的：探讨慢性化脓性中耳炎与感音神经性聋之间的相关性。方法：回顾分析174例单侧慢性化脓性中耳炎患者的骨导阈值改变。采用配对t检验分析0．5kHz，1．0kHz，2．0kHz，4．0kHz患耳与健耳骨导阈值的差异，单因素方差分析法分析胆脂瘤存在及听骨链破坏对语频(0．5kHz，1．0kHz，2．0kHz)和4．0kHz骨导阈值的影响，直线回归法讨论了语频和4．0kHz骨导阈值改变与年龄和病程之间的相关性。结果：患耳与健耳各频率骨导阈值之间差异有统计学意义。语频骨导听力损失程度随着患者年龄的增加而逐渐加重。胆脂瘤的存在以及听骨链破坏亦未增加感音神经性聋的发生概率。结论：慢性化脓性中耳炎可引起感音神经性聋。高频骨导听阈较低频更易受到影响。     

开放式鼓室成形术听力改善因素探讨

目的观察开放式鼓室成形术治疗伴有听骨残缺的慢性化脓性中耳炎的疗效.方法伴有听骨残缺的慢性化脓性中耳炎130耳,实施开放式鼓室成形术,以生物陶瓷人工听骨重建听骨链,常规充填乳突腔,重建外耳道后壁.结果术后随访6月～5年,鼓膜I期愈合115耳(89%),听力提高112耳(86%).均未发生人工听骨排出,外耳道形状良好.结论对于伴有听骨残缺的慢性化脓性中耳炎,开放式鼓室成形术疗效较优.     

西安市中学生听力现况调查

目的了解目前中学生听力状况,为制定中学生人群听力损失的防治策略提供科学依据。方法用分层随机整群抽样法对西安市中学生行问卷调查、耳科查体、纯音测听及声导抗测试,数据用SPSS15．0统计软件处理。结果1．共调查1567人,男生793人（50．61％）,女生774人（49.39％）。2．听力情况：听力减退患病率2．30％（36／1567）,听力残疾患病率0．13％（2／1567）。传导性听力减退13人,感音神经性听力减退20人,混合性听力减退3人。3．噪声性听力减退、中耳炎,耵聍栓塞等是引起中学生听力减退常见疾病。4．Logistic回归结果显示,性别、MP3／MP4使用时间、睡眠、耳聋家族史,耳毒性药物史等因素均与听力减退相关;MP3／MP4是听力损伤的独立危险因素。5．“耳科正常中学生”各频率听力受损的可能性随着MP3／MP4使用时间的延长而增大。6．“耳科正常中学生”声导抗检测鼓室图绝大多数为A型,无B型图。结论目前中学生人群中听力减退患病率较高。长时间、高音量使用MP3,MP4是中学生听力减退重要原因。失眠、耳聋家族史、耳毒性药物史等是中学生听力减退的危险因素。     

The prevalence of hearing impairment amongst Maori schoolchildren

A survey of hearing amongst a population of Maori schoolchildren in the eastern North Island of New Zealand has demonstrated a high prevalence of hearing impairment. Out of 194 children undergoing audiometry an impairment of 20 dB or greater at 0.5, 1.2 and 4 kHz was found in the worse hearing ear in 29% and in the better hearing ear in 12%. Comparison with a similar survey done in the same valley in 1977 revealed an apparent reduction in the prevalence of hearing loss and the prevalence of otitis media. This improvement appears to be due to a reduced prevalence of otitis media. An unexpected finding was that at least 2% of the children had a bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment.     

Chronic suppurative otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss: Is there a correlation?

Traditionally, it has been accepted that chronic suppurative Otitis media is associated with a breakdown in meekanical conduction of sound leading to conductive hearing loss, On;the contrary, there are two schools of thought when it come, to the issue of cpchlear involvement leading to sensorineural hearing loss (SNIIL) in chronic suppura the Otitis media. The present study was undertaken to find out whether a sensorineural component exists in hearing loss associated with chronic suppurative otitis media, A sample of 100 patients of unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media was selected for the Study and their bone conduction thresholds Mere analyzed in relation to the duration of disease using audiometric data. A 24 per cent incidence of sensoineural hearing loss was found in this series, garticularly involving the higher frequencies. Moreover, the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss progressively increased with the increase in duration of chonic suppurative Ouns meadia