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Published on: January 23, 2017
Childhood hearing loss and risk profile in a South African population
De Wet Swanepoel1, Lorné Johl, Danelle Pienaar
1Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Dewet.swanepoel@up.ac.za
Insights
This study found a high prevalence of permanent hearing loss in South African children, with many diagnosed late. Preventable risk factors and delayed diagnosis highlight the need for better early hearing detection services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Public health in South Africa
- Neonatal care
Background:
- Hearing loss affects a significant portion of children evaluated at pediatric clinics.
- Identifying risk factors and understanding the types of hearing loss are crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize hearing loss and associated risks in South African infants and children.
- To assess the timeliness of diagnosis and its implications for intervention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient files from a pediatric auditory evoked potential clinic (2007-2011).
- Data collection included demographics, risk factors, hearing loss type/degree, and age of suspicion/diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 73% of evaluated children had hearing loss; 76% were permanent (SNHL, ANSD, mixed).
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) was diagnosed in 21.4% of permanent non-conductive cases.
- Most children with permanent bilateral SNHL and ANSD were diagnosed after 36 months, despite early suspicion in 40%.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of ANSD and preventable risk factors were observed.
- Significant delays in diagnosis indicate a lack of effective early hearing detection services in South Africa.
- Late diagnosis hinders optimal benefits from early intervention for hearing loss.
Objective:
To describe the nature of hearing loss and associated risk profile in a South African population of infants and children diagnosed at a pediatric referral clinic.
Methods:
A retrospective review of patient files for a pediatric auditory evoked potential clinic in Pretoria was conducted (January 2007-December 2011). Collected data included demographical information, risk factors from case history questionnaire, diagnosis (type and degree of hearing loss), documented age of caregiver suspicion and age of first diagnosis.
Results:
Hearing loss was present in 73% (73/100) of cases evaluated. Permanent hearing losses (SNHL, ANSD and mixed) constituted 76% of losses. Unilateral hearing losses constituted 8% of SNHL and 20% of conductive hearing loss. ANSD was diagnosed in 21.4% and SNHL in 78.6% of permanent non-conductive hearing loss cases. The most prevalent SNHL risk was family history of hearing loss and for ANSD it was admittance to the NICU for more than 5 days. The majority of the sample was diagnosed with a permanent bilateral SNHL and ANSD after 36 months of age (47%) despite 40% already suspected of having a hearing loss before 12 months of age.
Conclusions:
A high prevalence of ANSD was found with preventable risk factors often indicated. Age of diagnosis was significantly delayed, evidencing the lack of early hearing detection services in South Africa. The majority of children were diagnosed at ages precluding optimal benefits from early detection and subsequent intervention.
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