RELEVANT DEMOGRAPHIC-FACTORS AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN SAUDI CHILDREN- EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

A representative sample of 6421 Saudi children were clinically examine d and screened for hearing loss. Hearing impairment was detected in 49 4 children (7.7 per cent). In 326 of the children it was due to chroni c secretory and suppurative otitis media (5.07 per cent) and in 168 of them sensorineural hearing loss (2.6 per cent). The study revealed th at parental education, low income, and employment of the mother showed a slightly higher at risk rate of hearing impairment. Children from r elated parents were also at a higher risk of hearing impairment and th ey demonstrated a marked adverse effect on the incidence of hereditary sensorineural hearing impairment. Comparison with other surveys of sc hool children in developed and developing countries has been carried o ut.