Global Data on Ear and Hearing Screening in an Intellectual Disability Population.

Intellectual disability (ID) and hearing loss are frequent comorbid conditions, although otological problems often go unnoticed until picked up by screening. In the hearing program of Special Olympics (SO), athletes with ID are screened for otological problems. By retrospective analysis of all SO meetings between 2007 and 2017, more than 100,000 screenings could be included. Cerumen impaction was found in 40.7%, middle ear problems in 29.5% of those who failed hearing screening, and hearing loss confirmation in 26.9%. Prevalences for different world regions and country income groups are provided. The results emphasize the high prevalence of hearing loss in this ID population. Awareness among health care workers and active screening are required to reduce health disparities among this disadvantaged population.

Postural balance problems in people with intellectual disabilities: Do not forget the sensory input systems.

BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of visual, auditory and vestibular dysfunctions on the postural balance performance in adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, a comparison was made between the subjects with intellectual disabilities and a control group concerning static and dynamic balance tasks. METHOD: Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities and 25 control subjects received a postural balance assessment. Additionally, the experimental group was subjected to a visual, auditory and vestibular screening. RESULTS: The experimental group performed significantly worse and/or showed more sway compared to the control group for all balance tasks (p < .01) except the timed up and go test. Within the experimental group, a significant positive correlation (rs (24) = 0.513, p = .007) was observed between the number of failed sensory screening items and the number of failed balance tasks. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest significant involvement of peripheral sensorial deficits in the balance problems that people with intellectual disabilities often experience.

Outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in people with intellectual disability in Europe: A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Undetected ear and hearing problems negatively impact the quality of life of people with intellectual disability. METHODS: This multicentre retrospective study describes the outcome of 10 years of ear and hearing screening in athletes with intellectual disability in seven European countries. The screening was conducted by a trained team using a strictly standardised protocol. RESULTS: Of 15,363 screened athletes with intellectual disability, more than half (58.7%) needed referral for ear and/or hearing problems, ranging from 51.7% (<20 years old) to 81.4% (≥60 years old). The most commonly detected conditions were excessive/impacted earwax (40.3%), middle ear problems (30.1%) and hearing loss (27.0%), with significant differences between age groups and countries. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates an increased risk of ear and hearing problems in people with intellectual disability as compared to the general population. Considering the unawareness and impact of these problems, it is highly recommended to organise systematic screening. Follow-up for diagnostic elaboration, therapeutic management and long-term guidance should be provided.

Vestibular function in adults with intellectual disabilities: feasibility and outcome of a vestibular screening protocol in Special Olympics athletes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a well-adapted vestibular screening battery to objectively examine the (peripheral) vestibular function, and to explore the characteristics of potential vestibular deficits in the adult ID population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study design. STUDY SAMPLE: Compared to an age- and gender-weighted control group, a heterogeneous group of forty-five adults with ID participated in the vestibular screening at the National Games of Special Olympics Belgium (2019), which consisted of a bone conduction cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP) measurement and video Head Impulse Test (vHIT). RESULTS: The screening battery appeared to be feasible in the majority of the participants (cVEMP: 92%; vHIT: 72%). Overall, the occurrence of abnormal cVEMP and vHIT responses was significantly higher in the ID group, with significantly lower corrected peak-to-peak cVEMP amplitudes (p < 0.001), lower vHIT gains (p < 0.001), and higher cVEMP and vHIT asymmetry ratios in the ID group (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001 resp.). CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular assessment using the cVEMP and vHIT technique shows a promising feasibility in adults with ID. In addition, this study suggests that people with ID exhibit an increased prevalence of (peripheral) vestibular deficits relative to the general population.