Survey for hearing loss in El Minia governorate

Hearing impairment has a significant impact on societies; Egypt is not excluded. Moreover, there is no database about the magnitude and distribution of the problems. Our study was started by survey was a household survey, which targeted the El Minia Governorate populations in its different Districts. El minia population is around 3,670389. The sample was chosen based on the multistage stratified clustering technique. The screening was done by the impedance Tympanometery studying the middle ear function and the otoacoustic emission [OAEI as a first phase for the hearing function integrity. Those who failed the screening were then tested by formal conventional pure tone audiometery [PTA] and auditory brainstem response audiometery [ABRI in children below 4 years as a second phase. Results showed that failure rate [hearing loss] in the first phase was 17.06% of the tested sample. The second phase hearing loss was 13.79%

latex glove finger pack in nasal surgery

Nasal packing is necessary following nasal surgery for the prevention of postoperative bleeding, adhesions, clot and crust formation as well as for midline support of the nasal septum. A multitude of packs used in the nose have been reported with varying degrees of success. In this prospective study on a series of patients who have undergone nasal surgery, we randomly selected one of three types of packs; the Vaseline impregnated gauze pack [VIG], the Merocel sponge pack [MSP], and the latex glove finger pack [LGF]. All cases were operated at the Hearing and Speech Institute in the period between January and December 2003 by one of the authors [HFS]. The study demonstrated that the glove finger pack is a safe convenient and inexpensive material, and is also associated with the least degree of trauma and patient discomfort, particularly during its removal. In cases were significant bleeding is expected however the LGF pack may not be the most reliable one for establishment of hemostasis, and the Merocel or the impregnated gauze packs are superior to the LGF in this aspect. Patients with a history suggestive of rubber latex allergy as health care workers, latex factory workers and Spina bifida patients should be recognized so that the LGF pack is avoided