Specijalna Edukacija i Rehabilitacija (Jan 2018)
prevalence of hearing impairments in children from the Eastern part of Republika Srpska
Abstract
The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of hearing impairments in younger schoolchildren in the eastern part of Republika Srpska. The sample included 408 children of both genders (49% of boys and 51% of girls), 6-10 years of age (age in years M=7.72; SD=1.20). The participants were divided in five groups with regard to age. Prior to audiometry, all children underwent otoscopy. The hearing test was performed in quiet rooms, by means of Sibelmed AC50-B audiometer using supra aural closed-back headphones. The hearing threshold was assessed at the frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz. The prevalence of hearing impairments on one or both ears with a threshold over 25dBHL was 11.7%, 3.2% of a bilateral hearing impairment, and 8.5% of an unilateral hearing impairment. With regard to the degree of hearing impairments, 11% were mild, and 0.7% moderate. Conductive hearing impairments were the most frequent - 10%, followed by sensorineural 1.5%, while mixed hearing impairments had the lowest incidence - 0.2%. No difference was determined in the prevalence, configuration and the degree of hearing impairments with regard to gender and age.
