English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: For a child, hearing and speech are essential tools of learning, playing and developing social skills. External sound and speech is used by infants and children to learn their communicating skills by imitation. In absence of perception of this external stimulus, they cannot develop speech and language. This results in delayed speech/language development, social problems and academic difficulty. Hearing loss, in varying degrees, affects two in every 100 children under the age of 18. The most effective treatment is achieved through diagnosis, early intervention by fitting suitable hearing aids. An early start on special education programs helps maximize a child's hearing which will give the child best of chances for successful speech and language development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study carried out to determine the hearing level, prevalence of loss of hearing and to identify its causes in schools of slums of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India where the population is homogeneous in terms of occupation, socio-economic status, literacy, food habits and health related beliefs and practices. The children were of 5yrs to 15yrs in age. Totally 1041 children constituted the sample frame and underwent clinical examination and audiometry. OBSERVATIONS: Out of 440 students examined for HL 102 were had different causes for HL. 22.5% of children belonged to the age group of 5 to 8 ears. Presence of wax10.2%, ASOM 5.68%, Glue ear 3.4%, CSOM 3.4% were among the common causes. 39.09% children showed a loss of more than 25dB. 66.74% of the causes were preventable and curable at a district level Hospital. CONCLUSION: Analysis showed that 16.3% of these children have low-frequency or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 20dB hearing level in 1 or both ears. Among children in elementary, middle, and high school, audiometric screening should include low-frequency and high-frequency testing to detect hearing loss. As more than 50% of the causes of HL in this group is curable, its difficulties on speech and language might be controlled and treated via appropriate hearing screening protocol and program in every educational setting. The results obtained emphasize annual hearing screening programs for school-age children in order to promote health care and to prevent social and educational problems.