Prevalence of Hearing Loss, and Middle Ear Disease in 1351 School Age Children in Mekelle, Ethiopia

Objectives: The objective of this study was to begin to measure the prevalence of elevated hearing thresholds in Ethiopia, with audiometric equipment, including bone oscillators and tympanometers. To that end Ethiopian nationals were trained in audiometric techniques to obtain sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and conductive hearing loss (CHL) rates in school age children. Methods: Five mainstreamed public grade schools in northern Ethiopia were the sites for audiometry campaigns examining 1351 children and testing them with behavioral audiometry. Results: Seven percent of students had SNHL > 20 dB in at least 1 frequency in at least 1 ear, and 0.6% of ears had SNHL > 50 dB. Eighteen percent8% of students had CHL > 20 dB in 1 or both ears. The frequency with the highest incidence of elevated pure tone thresholds was at 8000 Hz. Seven percent of students had an air bone gap at 2000 and/or 4000 Hz of at least 15 dB. Air bone gap is not obtained at 8000 Hz. There were 22 perforated tympanic membranes in 17 children (0.8% of tympanic membranes, 1% of students). Conclusion: This study gives a baseline for the prevalence of hearing loss in school age children in mainstreamed northern Ethiopian schools. It is the first of its kind and perhaps can help in estimated hearing health needs there. Level of Evidence: 2