Deafness in paediatric age group

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Audiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hearing impairment is a significant global health concern.
• Early identification and management of deafness in children are crucial for development.
• Prevalence and causes of childhood deafness vary geographically.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and primary causes of deafness in neonates, infants, and school-aged children.
• To analyze the types of hearing loss prevalent in the school-going population.
• To identify common contributing factors to deafness in Northern India.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 neonates, 100 infants, and 1340 school-aged children.
• Data was collected by the E.N.T. Department at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab.
• Audiological assessments and clinical examinations were performed to determine deafness incidence and etiology.

Main Results:

• The incidence of deafness in the school-going population was recorded as 12.16%.
• Conductive hearing loss constituted 98% of the cases, while sensorineural (S.N.) loss accounted for 2%.
• Notable contributing factors included chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, and adenoiditis.

Conclusions:

• Childhood deafness, particularly conductive hearing loss, is highly prevalent in the studied region of Northern India.
• Common upper respiratory tract infections are significant contributors to childhood deafness.
• Public health initiatives focusing on managing these conditions may reduce the burden of deafness in children.