Global Data on Ear and Hearing Screening in an Intellectual Disability Population
Melina Willems1, Frederic Acke2, Beth Lannon3
1Melina Willems , Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.
American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
|February 18, 2022
Summary
Intellectual disability (ID) and hearing loss frequently co-occur. Special Olympics screenings reveal high rates of ear problems and hearing loss in athletes with ID, highlighting the need for proactive detection.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Intellectual Disability Research
Background:
- Intellectual disability (ID) is often associated with hearing loss.
- Otological issues in individuals with ID can be overlooked without targeted screening.
- Special Olympics (SO) provides a platform for health screenings in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence of otological problems and hearing loss in athletes with ID through SO screenings.
- To identify specific audiological conditions affecting individuals with ID.
- To report regional and economic variations in these health issues.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of over 100,000 hearing screenings from SO meetings between 2007 and 2017.
- Inclusion of data on cerumen impaction, middle ear problems, and confirmed hearing loss.
- Stratification of results by world region and country income level.
Main Results:
- Cerumen impaction identified in 40.7% of screenings.
- Middle ear problems detected in 29.5% of those failing initial hearing screening.
- Confirmed hearing loss found in 26.9% of participants.
- Significant variations in prevalence across different global regions and income groups.
Conclusions:
- Hearing loss is highly prevalent in the population of athletes with ID.
- Active screening programs are crucial for identifying and addressing hearing impairments.
- Increased awareness among healthcare professionals is necessary to reduce health disparities for individuals with ID.
