Prevalence of middle ear effusion among children with adenoid hypertrophy at a national referral hospital in Tanzania

Introduction: Middle ear effusion (MEE) is a common childhood disorder that causes hearing impairment due to the presence of fluid in the middle ear which reduces the middle ear's ability to conduct sound. Temporary or persistent hearing loss as a result of MEE causes speech, language and learning delays in children. There are few studies on MEE in Tanzania despite the huge burden of hearing loss among children with adenoid hypertrophy which is a known risk factor for MEE. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 children aged nine years and below having adenoid hypertrophy with or without MEE. The diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy was confirmed with a lateral view x-ray of the nasopharynx and tympanometry for cases with MEE. The primary objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of MEE among children with adenoid hypertrophy. Results: The prevalence of MEE among children with adenoid hypertrophy was 61.7%, with 218 (51.9%) males and 202 (48.1%) females. The most affected age group was 2-4 years with an incidence 193 (46%) and in this age group, males (53.9%) were more affected than females (46.1%). Generally, males, 134 (51.7%) were more affected by MEE than females, 125 (48.3%) of all 259 children with MEE. In terms of age group predominance by MEE, children aged 3-4 years, 107(41.3%) were more affected than all other age groups. Additionally, 4 (1.5%) children with MEE presented with hearing loss. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of MEE among children with adenoid hypertrophy but no significant association with hearing loss.

Third party disability of family members of adults with dysphagia

Background: Third-party disability (TPD) has been studied in multiple patients including those with aphasia and hearing loss. Only one study has been done in relation to caregivers of adults with dysphagia. Third-party disability has been analysed using the International Classification of Function and Disability (ICF) framework. This study, therefore, used the ICF model to explore TPD of caregivers of adults with dysphagia for the context of Johannesburg in South Africa. Objectives: To describe how caregivers experience TPD when caring for adults with a dysphagia in Johannesburg. Methods: Data were collected from five primary adult caregivers, who were all family members, from government clinics in Johannesburg. This article reports the findings from the interviews that were analysed thematically using a top-down analysis approach. Results: Caregivers experienced challenges related to TPD mostly related to difficulties of being able to do activities of daily living for themselves, their household chores and attending social engagements. The use of body structure and function from the ICF model was not overtly applicable to the caregiver population. A new visual representation has been suggested to highlight the key themes to augment the social and psychological changes as seen on the ICF framework and demonstrated the specific interaction that these factors had on one another. Conclusion: Third-party disability is present in caregivers of patients with dysphagia. Healthcare workers need to be aware of the impact that this can have when preparing home management strategies. This newly devised representation can assist in creating a locally relevant patient-centred care approach but requires future input.

Characteristics of hearing loss in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Introduction: Hearing loss is a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the causes and patterns of hearing loss at a private hospital that serves the largest number of patients with ear, nose and throat diseases in Tanzania's largest city. Method: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted at a private hospital in Dar es Salaam. Data were collected from January to June 2021 and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. P-value Results: Of the 250 patients recruited with hearing loss, there were 115 (46%) males and 135 (54%) females (F:M ratio of 1.2:1). The commonest cause of hearing loss was presbyacusis 132 (52.8%) followed by ototoxicity 26 (10.4%) and chronic suppurative otitis media 26(10.4%). Based on laterality, 73.2% of the patients had unilateral hearing loss whereas 26.8% had bilateral hearing loss. Regarding the type of hearing loss, 85.6% of the patients had sensorineural hearing loss followed by conductive type (13.2%) and mixed hearing loss (1.2%). Based on severity, 40.8% of the patients had moderate hearing loss followed by both moderately severe and severe hearing loss each accounting for 18% of cases Conclusion: Sensorineural hearing loss was the commonest type of hearing loss in this study. Both unilateral hearing loss according to laterality and moderate hearing loss upon classifying by severity predominated. Age related hearing loss was the most common cause of hearing loss followed by ototoxicity and chronic suppurative otitis media.

Juvenile otosclerosis: radio-clinical features and outcomes of surgical treatment

Purpose: To review the radio-clinical features and to evaluate the outcomes of surgery approaches for the treatment of otosclerosis in pediatric population. Methods: It's a retrospective study including 12 patients under 18 years of age, diagnosed with otosclerosis and using data over a 24 ­ year ­period (1996-2020). A clinical examination, an audiometric assessment and a computed tomography of the temporal bone (CT-Scan) prior to surgery had been performed in all cases. All patients underwent surgical treatment under general anesthesia. Follow ­up was essentially clinical and audiometric with a mean period of 4years. Results: Mean age of our patients was 15.3 with a ratio of 0.5. Only three of them had a family history of otosclerosis. Major functional sign was hearing loss; tinnitus was noted in only 5 cases. CT-Scan had shown typical radiographic evidence of otosclerosis grade Ia (Veillon classification) in 9 cases, grade Ib in 1 case and no abnormalities in 2 cases. Surgery was performed in all cases: 8 patients underwent stapedotomy and 4 had stapedectomy. The audiometric results were good, air-bone gap closure to within 10 dB was achieved in 84% of cases (10 cases) and to within 20dB in 100% of cases at last follow-up. Conclusion: Audiometric and radiological assessments are essential to guide the diagnosis and the treatment of juvenile otosclerosis. Stapes surgery is a good option for closing the air-bone gap in children with bilateral juvenile otosclerosis

Juvenile otosclerosis: radio-clinical features and outcomes of surgical treatment

Purpose: To review the radio-clinical features and to evaluate the outcomes of surgery approaches for the treatment of otosclerosis in pediatric population. Methods: It's a retrospective study including 12 patients under 18 years of age, diagnosed with otosclerosis and using data over a 24 ­ year ­period (1996-2020). A clinical examination, an audiometric assessment and a computed tomography of the temporal bone (CT-Scan) prior to surgery had been performed in all cases. All patients underwent surgical treatment under general anesthesia. Follow ­up was essentially clinical and audiometric with a mean period of 4years. Results: Mean age of our patients was 15.3 with a ratio of 0.5. Only three of them had a family history of otosclerosis. Major functional sign was hearing loss; tinnitus was noted in only 5 cases. CT-Scan had shown typical radiographic evidence of otosclerosis grade Ia (Veillon classification) in 9 cases, grade Ib in 1 case and no abnormalities in 2 cases. Surgery was performed in all cases: 8 patients underwent stapedotomy and 4 had stapedectomy. The audiometric results were good, air-bone gap closure to within 10 dB was achieved in 84% of cases (10 cases) and to within 20dB in 100% of cases at last follow-up. Conclusion: Audiometric and radiological assessments are essential to guide the diagnosis and the treatment of juvenile otosclerosis. Stapes surgery is a good option for closing the air-bone gap in children with bilateral juvenile otosclerosis

Hearing loss in the pediatric age group

Background: Hearing loss is one of the preventable diseases listed by the WHO, even though the prevalence is decreasing in the developed countries. The pediatric age is very important in terms of hearing and therefore speech development. The prevalence and pattern of hearing loss in this age group in this environment is not known. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the etiology and pattern of hearing loss in the pediatric age group in Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: The study involved the pediatric age group (0-18 years) presenting with hearing loss, seen in the ENT Surgery Department of UPTH from January 2010 to December 2016. The clinic registers and patients' folders were the sources from which the biodata, clinical presentations, audiological assessments, possible etiologies, and treatment were extracted. These were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20.0. Results: A total of 752 patients with hearing impairment were seen: males ­ 502 and females ­ 250 with a ratio of 2.01:1. Patients with the age group of 0­3 years (28.6%) were more affected, whereas 16­18 years (11.2%) were the least affected. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was 37.6%; among this, birth asphyxia made up 38.5%, syndromic 6.0%, postmeningitis (2.7%, and neonatal jaundice 21.9%. However, conductive hearing loss (62.4%); was made up of cerumen auris (31.8%), otomycosis (19.4%), chronic suppurative otitis media (13.6%), Otitis media with effusion (11.7%). Most children with SNHL had severe­to­profound degree. The most common clinical presentation was hearing impairment and speech impairment followed by discharging ears. Conclusion: Hearing loss secondary to preventable causes such as birth asphyxia and neonatal infections still ranks high among the pediatric age group in this environment

Children with hearing impairment in Malawi, a cohort study

To assess the outcomes of children diagnosed with hearing impairment 3 years earlier in terms of referral uptake, treatment received and satisfaction with this treatment, and social participation.Methods: We conducted a population-based longitudinal analysis of children with a hearing impairment in two rural districts of Malawi. Key informants within the community identified the cohort in 2013 (baseline). Informants clinically screened children at baseline, and by questionnaires at baseline and follow-up in 2016. We investigated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes by multivariate logistic regression. Results : We diagnosed 752 children in 2013 as having a hearing impairment and traced 307 (40.8%) children of these for follow-up in 2016. Referral uptake was low (102/184; 55.4%), more likely among older children (odds ratio, OR: 3.5; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.2­10.2) and less likely for those with an illiterate caregiver (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2­0.9). Few of the children who attended hospital received any treatment (33/102; 32.4%) and 63.6% (21/33) of caregivers reported satisfaction with treatment. Difficulty making friends and communicating needs was reported for 10.0% (30/299) and 35.6% (107/301) of the children, respectively. Lack of school enrolment was observed for 29.5% (72/244) of children, and was more likely for older children (OR: 28.6; 95% CI: 10.3­79.6), girls (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2­4.8) and those with an illiterate caregiver (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.0­4.1).Conclusion More widespread and holistic services are required to improve the outcomes of children with a hearing impairment in Malawi

Hearing and vision screening for preschool children using mobile technology, South Africa

Objective:To implement and evaluate a community-based hearing and vision screening programme for preschool children in the Western Cape, South Africa, supported by mobile health technology (mHealth) and delivered by community health workers (CHWs).Methods:We trained four CHWs to provide dual sensory screening in preschool centres of Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain during September 2017­December 2018. CHWs screened children aged 4­7 years using mHealth software applications on smartphones. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between screening results and age, sex and test duration, and, for hearing, excessive background noise levels.Results:CHWs screened 94.4% (8023/10 362) of eligible children at 271 centres at a cost of 5.63 United States dollars per child. The number of children who failed an initial hearing and visual test was 435 (5.4%) and 170 (2.1%), respectively. Hearing test failure was associated with longer test times (odds ratio, OR: 1.022; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.021­1.024) and excessive background noise levels at 1 kilohertz (kHz) (e.g. OR for left ear: 1.688; 95% CI: 1.198­2.377). Visual screening failure was associated with longer test duration (OR: 1.003; 95% CI: 1.002­1.005) and younger age (OR: 0.629; 95% CI: 0.520­0.761). Of the total screened, 111 (1.4%) children were diagnosed with a hearing and/or visual impairment.Conclusion:Health-supported CHW-delivered hearing and vision screening in preschool centres provided a low-cost, acceptable and accessible service, contributing to lower referral numbers to resource-constrained public health institutions

Hearing impairment among chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a major public health challenge, globally. Inadequate excretion of metabolic waste products by the kidneys results in circulation of these toxic materials in the body. This can cause damage to tissues and organ systems including the auditory system which can lead to hearing loss. Aim: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence, degrees and types of hearing impairment among Chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis in Ghana. Methods: A case-control study involving 50 Chronic Kidney disease patients and 50 age and gender-matched control group was carried out at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain basic socio-demographic data and case history of the participants. Audiological assessment was performed using a test battery comprising otoscopy, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry in a soundproof booth. Results: Higher hearing thresholds were recorded across all the frequencies tested among the case group than the control group (p < 0.05) in both ears. Only sensorineural hearing loss was identified among the cases. The prevalence of hearing loss was 32% among the case group and 12% among the control group. No significant association was observed between hearing loss and duration of Chronic kidney disease (p = 0.16), gender of Chronic kidney disease patient and hearing loss (p = 0.88), and duration of Chronic kidney disease and degree of hearing loss (p=0.31).Conclusion: Our study showed that Chronic Kidney disease patients on haemodialysis are at higher risk of experiencing hearing loss

Vestibular assessment in chronic noise exposure subjects

Background: The damaging effect of noise on vestibular disturbance is well known, first described in 1890 by Haberman in tinkers with occupational hearing loss. Others have reported vestibular disturbances and abnormalities, such as balance disorders, dizziness, vertigo, and even spontaneous nystagmus in workers exposed to various kinds of occupational noise. Objective: To evaluate vestibular function in subjects with chronic noise exposure.Subjects and methods: Eighty subjects were included in the study, divided into 2 groups: 60 subjects exposed to noise in laundry with mean age 41.53±11.15 (study group) and 20 subjects not exposed to noise with mean age 38.60±6.48 (Control group). All subjects underwent audiovestibular evaluations (puretone audiometry, tympanometry, vedionystagmography, and posturography).Results: This study demonstrated elevated hearing threshold at audiometric frequencies 2-8 KHz (pv <0.001) and speech discrimination (pv <0.001). in addition, marked caloric weakness and reduced SOT composite scores (pv = <0.001), reduced SOT equilibrium scores in noise exposure subjects (pv<0.001), reduced SOT sensory scores in VEST and PREF (Pv <0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between duration of exposure and auditory and vestibular implications. Conclusion: this study revealed apparent effect of noise on auditory and vestibular system

Pattern of hearing loss in a tertiary hospital in the north western Nigeria

Background: Hearing impairment is a major public health problem in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization,approximately 15% of the world's adult population has some degree of hearing loss. About one­third of those who are affected have disabling hearing loss and two­third of them live in developing countries. Aim: This study aims to determine the causes and pattern of hearing loss in Zaria, North Western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at ear, nose,and throat unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Kaduna Nigeria. The hospital is a tertiary health­care facility in North Western Nigeria and is a referral center to many primary, secondary, tertiary and private health facilities in Nigeria. The records of all patients who were managed for hearing loss in our unit over a period of 5 years between January 2011 and December 2015 were reviewed. Information obtained from the case files included demographic characteristics, main presenting symptoms, and causes of hearing loss. Findings of pure tone audiograms, tympanograms, and otoacoustic emission were also recorded. The data obtained were analyzed using statistical package for Social Science Version 21. Results: Of the 277 patients who presented with hearing loss,only 144 met the inclusion criteria. There were 86 (59.7%) males and 58 (40.3%) females with sex ratio (M:F) of 1.4:1. The mean age was 29.9 years with standard deviation of ±2.18. The most common cause of hearing loss was presbyacusis 24 (16.7%) followed by ototoxicity 14 (9.7%), most of the patients 91 (63.2%) had bilateral hearing loss while 53 (36.8%) had unilateral hearing loss. Majority 112 (77.8%) had sensorineural hearing loss, followed by 24 (16.7%) conductive and mixed 8 (5.5%). Majority of the patients 94 (64.3%) had mild to moderately severe with the remaining 50 (34.7%) having severe to profound hearing losses, respectively. Tympanometric findings showed that 118 (90.8%) and 11 (8.5%) had Types A and B tympanograms, respectively. Conclusion: Majority of the patients were adult with bilateral mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss. Age­related hearing loss was the most common cause of hearing loss followed by ototoxicity

Infant hearing screening from a developing country context: status from two South African provinces

Background: New-born hearing screening (NHS) programmes are an important step toward early detection of hearing loss and require careful examination and planning within each context. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has recommended specific contexts in which to actualise early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) application. It is imperative therefore to explore if and how the current experience measures up to these recommendations.Objective: to explore the feasibility of and the current status of the implementation of NHS at various levels of health care within the South African context.Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional survey research design was employed, using a combination of questionnaires and face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Participants comprised 30 primary health care (PHC) nursing managers across two provinces (Gauteng and North West) and 24 speech-language therapists and/or audiologists directly involved with NHS in secondary and tertiary levels of care within Gauteng.Results: Current findings indicated lack of formal, standardised, and systematic EHDI implementation at all three levels of health care (primary, secondary and tertiary) with valuable reasons such as insufficient knowledge, lack of equipment, budgetary constraints, and human resource challenges being provided for this. Regardless of the level of care and their varied resource allocations and levels of specialisation; EHDI implementation as advocated by the HPCSA (2007) position statement currently does not seem feasible, unless the number of barriers identified are addressed, and NHS becomes mandated.Conclusion: Current findings have highlighted the need for ensuring that context specific studies in EHDI are conducted to ensure that national position statements are sensitive to contextual challenges and therefore allow for evidence-based practice, particularly in developing countries where resource constraints dictate success and/or failure of any well-intentioned programme

Audiological Findings in a Group of Neurologically Compromised Children: A Retrospective Study

Background. Hearing loss is more prevalent in developing countries. Later diagnosis of hearing loss will result in delayed access to rehabilitation. It is typically more difficult to obtain subjective information required in a hearing test from neurocompromised children; causing audiologists to frequently turn to objective measures such as the auditory brainstem response (ABR) measure to obtain this information.Objective. To describe the ABR results in a group of neurologically compromised children and to establish a relationship between ABR findings and behavioural audiometry results; where these existed.Methods. A retrospective review was conducted on 40 ABR patient records of neurologically compromised participants aged 5 months - 10 years. Behavioural audiometry results were sought where these existed. Hearing status was described per ear for objective and behavioural results; and descriptive statistics were conducted.Results. Behavioural audiometry results were obtained in 72.5% of ears. Results correlated between ABR and behavioural audiometry for only 7.5% of ears; which were all diagnosed with normal hearing. About12.5% of ears were misdiagnosed with behavioural audiometry. Premature infants were most likely to cope with behavioural audiometry. Hearing loss was highest in participants with cerebral palsy; Down syndrome; prematurity and retroviral disease.Conclusions. Behavioural audiometry appears to be a largely unreliable method of testing the hearing of children diagnosed with neurological disorders; as results were obtained in only 27.5% of the study sample; however; it remains the gold standard in paediatric hearing testing to evaluate the entire auditory system and provides information on how a child processes sound. Hearing thresholds should be established via objective testing. Conditioning should continue for a behavioural audiological test battery; with adaptations for the child's developmental ability

Evaluation of the Current Practices of Noise-Induced Hearing loss (NIHL) Awareness Training in the South African Mining Industry

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the current practices in relation to best practice criteria and make recommendations for improvements to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) awareness training in the South African mining industry. A survey tool based on fi ndings of a literature review on best practice for NIHL awareness training was developed for use in interviews; with managers responsible for NIHL awareness training at the mines. Thirty managers were interviewed in the survey at mines representative of different sizes and different commodities. Results indicate that NIHL awareness training is not treated as a priority training area. Only 20 of NIHL awareness training programmes had a theoretical basis in health promotion or adult education. Employees received; on average; 15 minutes of training per annum. Evaluation of employee knowledge only occurred at 40 of the mines surveyed. Recommendations were made to address the factors identified in the evaluation of the current practices in the South African mining industry regarding NIHL awareness training needing to be aligned with best practice

The Use of Hearing Protection Devices in South Africa: Exploring the Current Status in a Gold and a Non-Ferrous Mine

This study investigated mine workers' current use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) in South African gold and non-ferrous mining subsectors. A descriptive study design was employed using structured interviews.Ninety participants were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyse data.All participants reported wearing HPDs; with custom-made earplugs being preferred by those with more years of work experience and used by those most at risk to noise exposure. Comfort; design and work-related communication were factors infl uencing use of HPDs. Relationships between participants' demographic factors and use of HPDs were not statistically signifi cant. Participants seemed reasonably aware of HPD importance which highlights progress. Findings further highlight the importance of occupational audiologists in improving hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) in this sector

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevalence and Noise Abatement Techniques in a Steel-Making Plant

Background: A high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is observed amongst employees in the steel manufacturing industry.Objective: To determine the prevalence of NIHL and current noise abatement techniques implemented at a steel manufacturing plant.Methods: Structured questionnaires were completed by permanent employees at a steel-manufacturing plant for the purpose of collecting information on occupational and medical histories; noise exposure in and outside the work environment; use of hearing protection devices (HPDs); andcurrent noise abatement procedures. A walk-through survey was also conducted to observe implemented noise abatement techniques using the Noise Induced Hearing Loss Regulations of 2003 as a guideline.Results: A total of 17.9% of workers suffered from NIHL (95% CI 11.8% - 22.5%). Administrative controls; lubrication and mufflers were identified by more than 70% of the respondents as control procedures most often implemented by the company. Most of the respondents (77%) used HPDs always and 97% indicated that they fit their HPDs at the beginning of the shift.Conclusion: NIHL remains a significant health problem in this steel industry despite the implementation of noise abatement techniques and the implementation of a noise conservation programme with all the required elements

Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Prevalence and Noise Abatement Techniques in a Steel-Making Plant

Background: A high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is observed amongst employees in the steel manufacturing industry. Objective: To determine the prevalence of NIHL and current noise abatement techniques implemented at a steel manufacturing plant. Methods: Structured questionnaires were completed by permanent employees at a steel-manufacturing plant for the purpose of collecting information on occupational and medical histories; noise exposure in and outside the work environment; use of hearing protection devices (HPDs); and current noise abatement procedures. A walk-through survey was also conducted to observe implemented noise abatement techniques using the Noise Induced Hearing Loss Regulations of 2003 as a guideline. Results: A total of 17.9% of workers suffered from NIHL (95% CI 11.8% - 22.5%). Administrative controls; lubrication and mufflers were identified by more than 70% of the respondents as control procedures most often implemented by the company. Most of the respondents (77%) used HPDs always and 97% indicated that they fit their HPDs at the beginning of the shift. Conclusion: NIHL remains a significant health problem in this steel industry despite the implementation of noise abatement techniques and the implementation of a noise conservation programme with all the required elements

Noise-induced hearing loss and hearing conservation in the iron and steel industry in South Africa

Background and Purpose: The iron and steel industry in South Africa has been identifi ed as one of the highest risk industries in terms of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). The National Institute for Occupational Health was commissioned by the Department of Labour to audit the current noise exposure levels and hearing conservation practices in eight major producers of iron and steel; and to make recommendations regarding prevention strategies. Methods: The audit was conducted in two parts: the noise exposure levels and hearing conservation practices were assessed by the occupational hygiene department. The occupational medicine department assessed the hearing conservation policies and procedures; reviewed employees' medical records to ascertain the number of NIHL cases; and conducted verifi cation of audiograms on a sample of employees working in noise zones. Results: Area noise levels exceeding 105 dB(A) were measured in four of the eight workplaces. The estimated average annual incidence of NIHL varied from 0.7 - 8.3/1000/year. All companies did baseline; periodic and exit audiometric testing; but there were notable discrepancies between companies and verifi cation audiograms and differences of more than 20 dB(A) were found. Although information and training on noise was reportedly done in all worksites; a high proportion of workers could not demonstrate correct fi tting of hearing protection devices or recall when last they were trained. Conclusion: A detailed standard operating procedure should be implemented for medical surveillance for NIHL with action timelines that initiate remedial processes prior to employee developing compensable disease. Aggregated audiometric testing results should be communicated to managers and health and safety teams to provide guidance to prioritise areas for control measures. A quality assurance programme for audiometric testing must be implemented. An evaluation tool to measure the effectiveness of the noise and hearing conservation training provided to employees; including contracted employees; should be adopted

An Audit of Otorhinolaryngological Practice in a Tertiary Institution in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) is a young tertiary hospital with recently established department in various specialties. In spite of this it caters for the health needs of a lot of the patients in Bayelsa state and its environs. The aim of this study therefore is to audit the otorhinolaryngological (ORL) practice in this center with the aim of establishing the pattern of ORL disease which is useful for the planning of effective ORL services Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients that presented to the ear; nose and throat department of NDUTH from January 2007 to December 2011. The patient's folders and clinic records were the source of data.Results: There were 2;275 patients seen within the period under study. The age ranged from 3months to 80 years. Patients who were in the 21-30 year age group (21.1) were the most frequently seen. There were 1;150(50.55) males and 1;125(49.45) females with a male female ratio of 1.02:1. The adults were 1;725(75.82) while the children were 550(24.18). Otologic conditions ranked highest in the clinic presentations with wax impaction being the commonest ear disorder encountered. There were about 573 (25.19) procedures done within this period. Aural syringing was the commonest procedure. There was no major theatre procedures carried out.Conclusion: The otorhinolaryngologic practice in the centre is growing and otologic diseases appear to be the most common conditions seen. There is therefore need to equip both the theatre and clinic so as to offer effective care. Audiololgical services also are relevant for the rehabilitation of these patients in view of the considerable number with hearing loss. The ORL practice here appears quite elementary. Therefore there is a need to vigorously equip the department