Hearing Loss among School Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Hearing loss of any type and degree in infancy and childhood can interfere with the development of speech and language. Thus, early diagnosis and its management are essential. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among school students age 6 to 12 years of Ghaziabad city and to identify the etiological factors.

The present cross sectional study was carried out among 1000 school students of 6 to 12 years age group of Ghaziabad city during the period January to December 2011.To assess the hearing acuity conversational voice test, Tuning fork test and audiometry were done.

The prevalence of hearing loss was found to be 9.3%. Bilateral impairment of hearing was the most common pattern found in this study (54.84%).Most common type of deafness responsible for impaired hearing among school children was conductive type (87.1%).Most of the hearing impairment was of mild variety (34.41%), followed by moderate type. Most common disease responsible for impaired hearing in school age children was wax (41.94%), next one CSOM (21.50%).

Most of the etiological factors causing hearing impairment among school students are treatable if remedial measures are taken in time. Screening tests and education to teachers, parents and children can minimize prevalence of ear diseases hence hearing loss.