[Prevalence of hearing loss and the related factors in BuAli Hospital]

ABSTRACT

Determining the prevalence of hearing loss and correlated factors in clients referring to audiology clinic of Buali hospital. This cross-sectional analytic-descriptive survery was carried out on six thousand and twenty ears of 3010 clients [1651 ,a;e and 1359 female] in Audiology clinic of Buali hospital , during Sept 2000 to Sept 2001. Hearing loss is the most common reason for referring the clients [20.5%]. 1319 ears [21.9%] Showed sensorineural hearing impairment and conductive and mixed hearing loss are observed in 1059 [17.6%] and 234 [3.9%] ears, respectedly. Hearing loss degree most cases is mild [14%] in both ears. There is no significant difference between male and female hearing threshold means [p>0.05] but a significant difference between hearing thresholds is observed in terms of age [p<0.05]. Audiogram configuration in most cases is flat [55.1%]. Otoscopic examination reveals abnormal condition in 2333 ears [38.8%] . 37.2% of the studied cases have abnormal tympanogram mostly type B [15.9%]. 2.2% of the clients wear hearing aid that mostly have B.T.E ones [1.5%]. 6.2% of the clients , depends on their hearing impairment type and degree need rehabilitation services. The results are Valid only in the context of this study and it's generaliztion needs further researches