ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of ear diseases among the medical students of Isra University
Study design: A Descriptive, Cross sectional study
Place and duration: E.N.T department Isra University Hospital Hyderabad, in two years; from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012
Methodology: All medical students of Isra University Hyderabad who visited E.N.T department for complaints related to ears were selected for this study. We did a thorough ENT examination with particular emphasis on otological examination including pneumatic otoscopy, valsalva meanouvre, hearing assessment with tunning fork [512 Hz]. Data were extracted on especially designed proforma and Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16
Results: 500 students were included in the study; 303 [61%] were females and 197 [39%] were males. Mean age was 22.7 and standard. Deviation +/- 1.521 range from 19 to 27 years. Majority of patients were diagnosed as having impacted wax [29%] or otomycosis [24%]. Some patients [22%] presented with vague otological symptoms but after a complete examination, no ear pathology was found. Majority of patients complained of earache [57%], hearing Impairment [56%] and aural heaviness or blockage [38%]
Conclusion: Although traumatic and infectious diseases of external and middle ear were found, but impacted wax and otomycosis were the most common diseases among the medical students of Isra university