Authors: Akpalaba IO, Olarinoye TO, Ikong MA, Owolawi WO, Ademokoya JA, James RO.
Aim: To ascertain the level of hearing loss among the residents of Ondo State in a free public hearing screening and hearing aid donation programme.
Method: This is a survey study of participants during the World Hearing Day Celebration organized by the Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Therapy in collaboration with the department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) of university of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital. A total of (243) volunteered to participate in the survey. Volunteers were examined using a portable sync video Otoscopes to ascertain the state of the outer ear. Pure Tone Audiometry was carried out using a calibrated GSI 61 clinical audiometer to ascertain hearing sensitivity level. Tympanometric examination was done with a calibrated GSI 39 middle ear analyser. Audiometric testing was conducted in a room whose ambient noise level was less than 45dB (A) with attached audio cups to conventional TDH39 headphone for noise attenuation purposes. A self-reporting questionnaire consisting of bio data, past or current medical/surgical history, drug/medication history, occupational noise exposure history, social habit/past-time history, past history of amplification, if any, was administered on all the participants.
Result: Hearing Loss by degree/type: (209) people were identified with hearing loss, eighty-eight (88) {42.1%} were found to have a mild hearing loss (20-40dBHL), (30) {14.4} moderate hearing loss (41-60dBHL). (39) {18.7%} people accounted for moderately-severe hearing loss (41-80dBHL) while profound degree of hearing loss revealed only (21) {10.05%} Sensori-neural (SNHL) (95) {45.5%} individuals were found while (92) {44.01%} came up with conductive hearing loss. (22) {10.5%} individuals had mixed hearing loss.
Conclusion: Hearing loss remains grossly under reported and undiagnosed. More Ear/Hearing care centres are advocated.
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