Results of audiometrical screening in Finnish schoolchildren

Hearing loss in urban South African school children (grade 1 to 3)

“…This is similar to prevalence findings from longitudinal studies conducted in developed countries, such as the 1.8% in USA [28], 2% in Sweden [15] and 2.5% in Finland [16]. These studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in preschool children over 4 to 10 year period utilizing a pass criteria of 20 dB HL as opposed to 25 dB HL used in this study.…”

“…The prevalence of hearing loss in children in developed countries is typically lower than in developing countries; 1.49% has been reported for the UK [14], 2% for Sweden [15], 2.5% for Finland [16] and 3.6% for Denmark [17]. Fortnum et al [14] suggested that the reasons for differences in prevalence between developed and developing countries include the absence of regular hearing-screening programs, the impact of poverty and malnutrition, ignorance of hearing loss and paucity of accessible health care in developing countries.…”

The hearing profile among learners in schools in the Western Cape, South Africa

“…Developed nations such as Finland and Denmark have reported prevalence rates of 2.5% and 3.6%, respectively [5,6]. However, in addressing the prevalence of hearing loss among school children in South Africa, it is appropriate to refer to data from developing countries similar to South Africa.…”

“…In Kenya, the prevalence rate of mild hearing impairment was 5.6% [9] and it was suggested that the prevalence rates would increase if more severe hearing losses were included. It thus becomes clear, that in developing nations like South Africa, the prevalence rates [1,7,8] are higher than in developed nations [5,6], and that rural populations appear to be at greater risk relative to urban individuals [10]. Jacob et al [11] suggested that the reasons for differences in prevalence rates between developed and developing nations included the absence of regular hearing-screening programmes, the impact of poverty and malnutrition, ignorance of hearing losses and paucity of accessible health care in developing countries.…”

Aetiology and Risk Indicators of Hearing Impairments in a One-Year Birth Cohort for 1985-86 in Northern Finland

“…Studies dealing with children's hearing at the population level are rare (Sheridan, 1972;Sorri & Rantakallio, 1985;Schilder et al, 1993) and in the few studies in which slight abnormalities are included there is a focus on special groups, such as children attending mainstream schools (Marttila, 1986;Haapaniemi, 1992). It is important to include even the less severe impairments in epidemiological studies, since, for example, unilateral hearing impairments may cause difficulties at school (Brookhouser et al, 1991).…”