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Epidemiology of hearing loss and aetiological diagnosis of hearing impairment in childhood

1983; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0165-5876(83)80020-2

1872-8464

Agnete Parving,

Ear Surgery and Otitis Media

A total of 117 children, 55 girls and 62 boys with a median age of 8 years, range 2–12 years, was retrospectively evaluated in consideration of: (1) the prevalence rate and characteristics of permanent hearing loss (defined as the average of 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz ⩾ 35 dB HL on the better hearing ear); (2) the aetiology of the hearing impairment; (3) the basis for the aetiological diagnosis in the individual child, and (4) the value of non-audiological investigations. The overall prevalence of permanent hearing loss was 1.4‰ in this geographical area (children with recurrent episodes of serous otitis media are excluded). In 91% (106/117) the hearing loss was sensorineural, in 4% (5/117) conductive and in 5% (6/117) mixed conductive/sensorineural. In 63% (74/117) the hearing loss had been confirmed and assessed at the age of 3 years, while in 31% (37/117) the hearing loss was ascertained after the age of 3 years. 85% (99/117) were considered to suffer from congenital/early acquired hearing loss. The aetiology of hearing impairment could be assessed in 73% (85/117) of the children, while 27% (32/117) were diagnosed as 'unknown aetiology'. In 48% (56/117) combined audiological/non-audiological investigations had been performed, resulting in a known aetiology in 86% (48/56). In 52% (61/117) only audiological examination had been performed, resulting in a known aetiology of 61% (37/61). A significant difference (P < 0.005) in known aetiology between these two groups is present, indicating that additional non-audiological evaluation is of decisive importance in the aetiological assessment of hearing impairment. Based on the present and previous investigations, a routine examination programme is proposed directed towards a systematic evaluation of the symptom of hearing loss and its aetiology with due caution to the individual child. The evaluation should be based on a combination of audiological/non-audiological examinations, which includes a broad interdisciplinary cooperation that preferably should be performed at diagnostic assessment centers.