HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND EAR DISEASES IN RURAL RAJASTHAN.

Abstract

Background- Communication disorders are often being referred to those hidden disabling conditions, which usually affects the social and emotional well-being of an individual.

Methods- The Department of ENT was conducted a hospital based. All the participants were selected randomly based on their willingness to participate in the study. All the participants were explained in detail about the purpose of the study and oral consent were taken from all participants. Most of them were belonging from low-to-medium socio-economic status and had education up to primary level.

Results- A total of 500 participants participated in the survey. In total of 500 participants, 220 participants (44%) were at risk of hearing loss, whereas, 85 participants (18%) were having ear discharge. Among the 200 participants in the age range of 8 to 17 years, 20% found to be at risk of hearing loss according to questions related to self-assessment of hearing impairment and 24% were having ear discharge. Among 200 participants in the age range of 18 to 35 years, 40% were at risk of hearing loss and only 10% were suffering from ear discharge. There were 60 participants in the age range of 36 to 55 years, 46.67% were found to be at risk of hearing loss, whereas, 10% were having ear discharge. Among 40 participants above 56 years, 80% of the participants were at risk of hearing loss and only 10% of the participants were having active ear discharge.

Conclusion- The finding of the present study revealed that a good percentage of population in rural part of Rajasthan were at risk of hearing loss.

Keywords: Rajasthan, Hearing Loss, India, Rural.