Impact Of Hearing Loss on Daily Life Style and Schooling Among Children Between 5- And 15-Years Age-Group

Abstract

Background: “Hearing”- one of the five special senses with which a human is gifted. At times, due to variety of reasons, this sense is impaired. Hearing impairment of any degree has a profound effect on children. It delays development of speech, slows educational progress and leads to being stigmatized.

Objectives: To document the impact of hearing loss in daily life style and schooling of children between 5 and 15 years age-group.

Materials & methods: This was cross- sectional study done in Children between 5 and 15 years age-group with hearing loss, coming to an ENT OPD, New Civil Hospital, Surat during the period of 1^st August 2011 to 31 July 2012.

Results: A total of 246 children were studied. Mean age of the study population was 9±3.46 years. Most common impactin life of children with hearing loss was that “they were not admitted to school by their parents” (31.3%). Among them, 84.4% had congenital deafness and 15.6% had acquired deafness. This difference was statistically significant. (p= 0.002, x²= 8.63). As per parents’ perception, academic performance of the children was significantly associated with type of school (normal Vs deaf & mute school”) (p< 0.001).

Conclusion: Most common impact was that “children being not admitted to school” and “children were lagging behind in studies”. Among the congenitally deaf children, the quality of life was significantly better in those who attended these special schools (p<0.001).