Knowledge and Perception on Hearing Loss, Hearing Management Modalities, Speech and Language Pathology among General Public in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss is considered a disability that hugely impacts the quality of life for 466 million people worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge and perception on hearing loss, speech and language pathology, and to identify the effect of public educational campaign as an intervention to raise awareness among general public. Methods: A repeated measure designed-study was conducted during 2019 in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. To collect the data, an electronic questionnaire was randomly distributed targeting all adult visitors of the campaign including adults with no medical background. A total of 330 participants, filled the questionnaire twice; before and after the intervention. Any p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall mean score of hearing loss was 5.43± 1.78 out of 11 points and higher awareness score toward hearing loss was significantly more after interventions (P<0.001). For the awareness of ear and hearing management, the overall awareness score was 9.57± (1.96 out of 13 points and the awareness toward ear and hearing management was also significantly more after interventions (P<0.001). In the awareness toward speech development, the total awareness score was 2.92±0.98 out of 5 points and the awareness toward speech development was significantly higher at after interventions (P<0.001). These results indicated that the answers after the intervention were significantly influenced by the campaign compared to the answers before the intervention. Conclusion: Although the participants had some level of knowledge before intervening with an educational campaign, the intervention showed a significant improvement in their level of knowledge. Therefore, this study recommends the implication of more interventional educational campaigns to increase the awareness amongst general public in Saudi Arabia.

Auditory development and its significance: an awareness study among expectant mothers in Kottarakkara taluk, Kerala

“…12 A cross sectional study was conducted by using questionnaire on general public on awareness and knowledge of hearing loss, hearing management modalities, speech and language pathology at two malls in Saudi Arabia. 13 The results suggested public awareness lacks in hearing loss and management despite moderate speech understanding. Health care professionals crucial for improving community knowledge.…”