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Aural health in 227 Northland school and preschool children
Insights
A successful hearing conservation program significantly reduced chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in Northland children. Middle ear effusion may be more common in Maori children than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Public Health
- Audiology
Background:
- Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and middle ear effusion are common childhood ear conditions.
- Previous data on the incidence of these conditions in Northland, New Zealand, was limited.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing hearing loss and developmental issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current incidence of CSOM and middle ear effusion in Northland school and preschool children.
- To evaluate the impact of a mobile ear clinic's hearing conservation program on CSOM rates.
- To assess the prevalence of middle ear effusion in Maori children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 277 school and preschool children in Northland.
- Screening for CSOM and middle ear effusion.
- Utilizing impedance audiometry as a screening tool.
- Comparing current incidence rates with historical data from 1974.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in CSOM incidence from 10.5% in 1974 to 2.7% in 1978.
- This reduction is attributed to the mobile ear clinic's hearing conservation program.
- The incidence of middle ear effusion suggests it may be more prevalent in Maori children than generally believed.
Conclusions:
- The mobile ear clinic's hearing conservation program has been effective in reducing CSOM.
- Further investigation into the prevalence of middle ear effusion in Maori children is warranted.
- Impedance audiometry is a valuable screening procedure for identifying middle ear conditions in children.
Abstract:
Two hundred and seventy-seven Northland school and preschool children were examined to determine the current incidence of chronic suppurative otitis media and middle ear effusion in the child population of one area. A reduction in incidence of CSOM from 10.5 percent in 1974 to 2.7 percent in 1978 is attributed to the successful mobile ear clinic's child health hearing conservation programme. The incidence of middle ear effusion would indicate that this condition may be less uncommon in Maori children than is generally believed. The value of impedance audiometry as a screening procedure is considered.