Prevalence and Etiology of Childhood Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Riyadh

Abstract

Epidemiological data on hearing impairment are indispensable in order to provide effective audiological services. A random sample survey was performed on 6421 Saudi children to evaluate the prevalence, degree and etiology of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The overall prevalence of SNHL was 2.6% (168/6421). The prevalence of severe to profound bilateral SNHL was 0.4%. The causative factors were: heredofamilial (66.1%), perinatal adverse factors (10.1%), meningitis (8.9%), rubella (2.4%), mumps (2.4%), and nonhereditary syndromes (1.2%). The etiology was deemed to be unknown in 8.9% of the cases. The study showed that SNHL is more prevalent in Saudi Arabia than in most of the developed and developing countries. Great efforts and resources are needed for prevention and treatment of this major health problem. Ann Saudi Med 1996; 16(3):262-265. Riyadh. 1996; 16(3): 262-265 Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children is a health problem which has immense psychosocial as well as economic impact. The psychosocial implication of SNHL consists of the response of the individual, the affected family, society in general, and the deaf community in particular. YE Sayed, S Zakzouk, Prevalence and Etiology of Childhood Sensorineural Hearing Loss in1 The economic impact focuses on the cost involved in the identification, habilitation, and education of the hearing-impaired. Information about the prevalence, degree and etiology of SNHL are essential to evaluate the extent of these effects; and to institute the appropriate audiological care. Unfortunately, such epidemiologic data are not available where they are most needed. The purposes of this study were to identify the prevalence of childhood SNHL in Riyadh, including determination of hearing thresholds, and to obtain information on the causative factors. Material and MethodsA random sample survey of 6421 Saudi infants and children between six months and 12 years of age was carried out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from May 1988 to September 1990. The design was essentially a three-stage stratified random sampling using age and sex as stratifying factors in the final stage. The city was divided into 93 administrative areas and these areas were distributed into six strata according to socioeconomic homogeneity. Onefifth of the areas in each stratum were chosen by a simple random method. Each area was further subdivided into roads and the latter were subsequently divided into smaller blocks of approximately equal sizes; a sample of each block was randomly selected. Within each selected block, a systematic process was used, whereby a random starting point was chosen and a predetermined zigzag route followed, calling at every other household encountered. There were two survey teams, each comprised of an otolaryngologist, a social worker, and a field supervisor. The team established whether there were any children in the household and if so, after obtaining a consent from the family, a history was taken. An ear examination was then carried out by the otolaryngologist.Children con...

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Universal newborn hearing screening program in Saudi Arabia: Current insight

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