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ANALYSIS OF HEARING LOSS AND USE OF HEARING AIDS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN PAKISTAN

Dr Rao Shahzad Ahmad, Dr Muhammad Abu Bakar, Dr Seerat Fatima

Introduction: Current data suggest that approximately 5% of the world’s population 32 million adults and 34 million children and adolescents suffer from disabling hearing loss, defined as hearing loss greater than 40 dB hearing levels (dB HL) in the better hearing ear in adults and greater than 30 dB HL in the better hearing ear in children. Objectives of the study: The main objective of the study is to analyse the hearing loss and use of hearing aids among children and adolescents in Pakistan. Methodology of study: This cross sectional study was conducted at DHQ Hospital, Rajanpur during January 2019 to September 2019. The data was collected from 100 hearing and speech impaired children. We select these participants to find the oral health status of these children. All children of 5-15 years of either gender having speech & hearing impairment were included in the study. The clinical examination was carried according to World Health Organization (WHO) techniques. Results: The data were collected from 200 children. Out of these children, bleeding on probing was found in 72 (13.3%) female children as compared to 57 (10.6%) male children. While 131 (24.3%) female children had calculus, 124 (23.0%) male children had the same condition. Conclusion: It is concluded that high prevalence of dental caries was observed among hearing and speech impaired children. There is a high need for an epidemiological survey followed by the comprehensive dental care programs for children with hearing speech impairment, as well as efforts should be taken to encourage and promote parents of these children to improve their oral health.

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