Middle ear disease in Aboriginal children in Perth: analysis of hearing screening data, 1998–2004

Abstract

Objective: To describe diagnoses and correlates of middle ear disease in Aboriginal primary school children in a targeted school‐testing program in Perth, Western Australia. Design and setting: Analysis of records of ear testing carried out over a 6‐year period in three primary schools in Perth. Participants: Aboriginal children of primary school age (4–12 years) who attended the schools on the day of testing. Data on middle ear disease and hearing impairment were available for 119 and 94 children, respectively, from their first test. Main outcome measures: Proportions of children with middle ear disease and hearing loss. Results: Middle ear disease was diagnosed in 50 children (42.0%; 95% CI, 33.0%–51.4%). Rates were lower in older children (P = 0.002) but did not differ according to season of testing. Hearing loss (mild or moderate) was detected in 18 children (19.1%; 95% CI, 11.8%–28.6%). Hearing impairment was also less prevalent in older children (P = 0.007) and had no association with season of testing. Conclusions: Middle ear disease is a significant problem for Aboriginal children in Perth, and is associated with mild–moderate hearing loss. Health authorities must continue to focus on appropriate identification and management of the disease in this population.

Longitudinal analysis of ear infection and hearing impairment: findings from 6-year prospective cohorts of Australian children

“…Our findings support an earlier study on impact of middle ear disease associated with hearing loss [34]. As well, we confirm that the onset of ear infection is associated with an increased likelihood of repeated episodes and these children are at a much higher risk of long-term negative impact [35].…”

Longitudinal analysis of ear infection and hearing impairment: findings from 6-year prospective cohorts of Australian children

“…Our findings support an earlier study on impact of middle ear disease associated with hearing loss [34]. As well, we confirm that the onset of ear infection is associated with an increased likelihood of repeated episodes and these children are at a much higher risk of long-term negative impact [35].…”

Prevalence of ear diseases in the children of Delhi

“…The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies. 5,[17][18][19][20][21]24 However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India. 16,23 For example, 7.5 per cent of children in this study were diagnosed with impacted cerumen obstructing the ear canal which could not be easily removed.…”

“…A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies 5 , 17 – 21 , 24 . However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India 16 , 23 .…”

“…Other studies have estimated the prevalence of ear disease in children to range from 3 per cent to over 80 per cent. 5,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies.…”

Conductive and Mixed Hearing Losses: A Comparison between Summer and Autumn

“…They found no association between OME and age, either ( p =0.22). Likewise, they found no association between OME and season ( p =0.56) 5). In the present study, like Williams's study, most hearing losses were bilateral, and no relationship between season and CHL was found among children.…”

Longitudinal analysis of ear infection and hearing impairment: findings from 6-year prospective cohorts of Australian children

“…Our findings support an earlier study on impact of middle ear disease associated with hearing loss [34]. As well, we confirm that the onset of ear infection is associated with an increased likelihood of repeated episodes and these children are at a much higher risk of long-term negative impact [35].…”

Prevalence of ear diseases in the children of Delhi

“…The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies. 5,[17][18][19][20][21]24 However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India. 16,23 For example, 7.5 per cent of children in this study were diagnosed with impacted cerumen obstructing the ear canal which could not be easily removed.…”

“…A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies 5 , 17 – 21 , 24 . However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India 16 , 23 .…”

“…Other studies have estimated the prevalence of ear disease in children to range from 3 per cent to over 80 per cent. 5,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies.…”

Conductive and Mixed Hearing Losses: A Comparison between Summer and Autumn

“…They found no association between OME and age, either ( p =0.22). Likewise, they found no association between OME and season ( p =0.56) 5). In the present study, like Williams's study, most hearing losses were bilateral, and no relationship between season and CHL was found among children.…”

Longitudinal analysis of ear infection and hearing impairment: findings from 6-year prospective cohorts of Australian children

“…Our findings support an earlier study on impact of middle ear disease associated with hearing loss [34]. As well, we confirm that the onset of ear infection is associated with an increased likelihood of repeated episodes and these children are at a much higher risk of long-term negative impact [35].…”

Prevalence of ear diseases in the children of Delhi

“…The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies. 5,[17][18][19][20][21]24 However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India. 16,23 For example, 7.5 per cent of children in this study were diagnosed with impacted cerumen obstructing the ear canal which could not be easily removed.…”

“…A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies 5 , 17 – 21 , 24 . However, results similar to the estimates obtained in this study have been reported from Kenya and India 16 , 23 .…”

“…Other studies have estimated the prevalence of ear disease in children to range from 3 per cent to over 80 per cent. 5,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] A possible reason for discrepancies with other studies could be that the present study included all age groups and not only school-aged children, as in most other studies. The application of stringent diagnostic criteria may be another factor contributing to the overall lower prevalence rate compared with many other studies.…”

Conductive and Mixed Hearing Losses: A Comparison between Summer and Autumn

“…They found no association between OME and age, either ( p =0.22). Likewise, they found no association between OME and season ( p =0.56) 5). In the present study, like Williams's study, most hearing losses were bilateral, and no relationship between season and CHL was found among children.…”