The Journal of International
Advanced Otology
Original Article

Results of Hearing Screening in School-Age Children from Rural Areas of the Kujawsko– Pomorskie Region in Poland

1.

Teleaudiology and Screening Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Kajetany, Warsaw, Poland

2.

Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Surgery Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Kajetany, Warsaw, Poland

3.

Institute of Sensory Organs, Kajetany, Warsaw, Poland

4.

Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, Medical University of Warsaw Faculty of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland

5.

Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngology Oncology with the Audiology and Phoniatrics Subdivision, University Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland

6.

Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, World Hearing Center, Kajetany, Poland

J Int Adv Otol 2022; 18: 106-111
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2022.21164
Read: 1455 Downloads: 617 Published: 01 March 2022

OBJECTIVE: There is a need for regular surveillance of the hearing of children, no matter what their age. Screening of the hearing of school children can be done quickly and cheaply using teleaudiology. The primary aim of this study was to identify children who showed a suspected hearing impairment from rural areas of the Kujawsko–Pomorskie region and refer them for further audiological testing. A secondary aim was to estimate the prevalence of hearing loss in those children.
METHODS: There were 4754 children, made up of 1840 children aged 6–7 years old and 2914 children aged 12–13 years old. Pure-tone air conduction thresholds were obtained at 0.5–8 kHz. Audiometric test was supplemented by results of a brief questionnaire filled in by parents.
RESULTS: Of the 4754 children, 618 (13%) failed screening and were referred for detailed audiological diagnostics. The prevalence of hearing loss was estimated to be 7% and was significantly higher (OR = 2.12) in the group aged 6–7 y/o (10.1%) than in the group aged 12–13 y/o (5.0%). In our study the estimated prevalence of HL was twice as high in children aged 6–7 y/o (10.1%) than in children 12–13 y/o (5.0%). This difference was also evident in another study of Polish children from rural areas, where the prevalence of HL was 11.4% in younger children (6–9 y/o) and 5.5% in older children (12–13 y/o).
CONCLUSION: Large numbers of school-age children in rural areas have hearing problems. It is recommended that a hearing screening program in primary schools based on e-health solutions should be adopted.
Cite this article as: Gos E, Skarzynski PH, Czajka N, et al. Results of hearing screening in school-age children from rural areas of the kujawsko– pomorskie region in poland. J Int Adv Otol. 2022;18(2):106-111.

Files
EISSN 2148-3817