Paediatric hearing loss in rural Pakistan

Objective: The present study was designed to generate population-based data on the prevalence and causes of hearing loss in rural Pakistani children. A community screening programme was utilized to identify and evaluate the h earing impaired. Methods: The study was performed in conjunction with the Ministry of Popula tion Welfare in Sialkot District, Punjab Province. School-aged children bet ween the ages of 5 and 15 years were screened and examined for hearing impa irment according to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. Case-control analysis of audiometric, physical examination, and risk factors for hearin g loss were performed, followed by chi-square analyses. Results: A total of 607 children comprised the study population, with an ov erall point prevalence of hearing impairment of 7.9%. Fifty percent of all hearing loss was conductive in nature, amenable to either medical or surgic al therapy. The risk factors most associated with conductive hearing loss w ere otorrhea and multiple ear infections greater than 5. In cases of severe hearing loss, 70% were the result of consanguinous marriages. Almost no ca ses of hearing loss were attributable to measles, mumps, rubella, and the T ORCH infections. Conclusion: This study has generated some badly needed population-based dat a on the magnitude of the problem of hearing loss in rural Pakistan. It is hoped that the results of this work will stress the importance of hearing h ealth in Pakistan and to encourage other professionals to pursue similar pr ojects.