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- Title
Comparison of the frequency of positive hearing screening results in school-age children from different countries around the world.
- Authors
Skarżyński, P. H.; Gos, E.; Świerniak, W.; Gocel, M.; Kochanek, K.; Skarżyński, H.
- Abstract
Objectives: According to the guidelines of the European Scientific Consensus on Hearing (European Federation of Audiology Societies 'EFAS' Congress, June 2011, Warsaw, Poland), the detection and treatment of communication disorders in early school-age children is the highest importance. This objective was adopted by the Polish president of the EFAS Council from the second half of 2011; as a result, pilot programs on children's hearing screening were initiated in various countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. The aim was to compare the frequency of positive outcomes of hearing screening between the countries. Examinations allow for an early detection of hearing disorders, thus enabling treatment and eliminating or minimizing the negative consequences associated with this type of dysfunction. Hearing-impaired children often experience delayed development of speech, language and cognitive skills, which may result in slow learning and dif- ficulty progressing in school. These efforts are aimed at improving the state of medicine abroad, especially in African and Asian countries, enabling access to health care and promoting healthy lifestyle. Material: Hearing screening was performed in group of almost 5.000 children aged from 6 to 12 years. Hearing tests were performed in African, Asian and European countries. Methods: Screening was performed using the Sensory Organs Platform; based on an audiometric hearing threshold measurement procedure. A modern platform developed by the Institute of Sensory Organs is essential for the affordable and universal study of a large population of children. The threshold values for air conduction were determined in the frequency range of 0.5--8 kHz. The abnormal test result was the threshold value for air conduction of 25 dB HL and more for at least one frequency in at least one ear. In addition, in some countries, the study protocol was extended to include video-otoscopy. Results: A positive result of hearing screening was found in 15.9% to 24.1% of the children tested. Most of the hearing loss was benign or moderate, most often among all ears with abnormal hearing screening in children with high frequency hearing loss. In addition, there was a large number of unilateral hearing loss. Studies have shown that the scale of hearing loss among school-age children is significant in all countries participating in the program. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there are many children in primary schools who have hearing problems, and this situation may affect their education. The solution could be screening programs conducted directly in schools by trained school personnel (e.g. school nurses). The program of hearing screening in schoolchildren described here has helped to raise awareness of the importance of hearing conservation and inspired the development of new programs.
- Subjects
EUROPE; AFRICA; ASIA; POLAND; DEAFNESS prevention; HEARING disorder diagnosis; CONFERENCES &; conventions; AUDIOMETRY; EARLY diagnosis; CHILDREN
- Publication
Journal of Hearing Science, 2022, Vol 12, Issue 1, p160
- ISSN
2083-389X
- Publication type
Article