Teacher Prescreening for Hearing Loss in the Developing World

Justin R. Shinn, Asitha D.L. Jayawardena, Ankita Patro, M. Geraldine Zuniga, James L. Netterville

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The goal of this prospective cohort study was to characterize the ability of teachers to identify schoolchildren at risk of hearing loss in order to maximize hearing screening efficiency in low-resource settings. At 4 semirural schools in Malindi, Kenya, preselected schoolchildren perceived as hearing impaired were compared to children thought to have normal hearing using portable audiometry. Eight of 127 children (54% male) failed hearing screening, all of who were identified by schoolteachers as having a high risk of hearing loss. Thus, for every 5 children prescreened by schoolteachers, an average of 1 child would be identified as having hearing loss. Overall, teacher prescreening had a 100% hearing loss identification rate and a 20% referral rate. In conclusion, in resource-limited settings, where universal hearing screening is challenging, teachers can effectively identify children with hearing loss for early intervention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)259S-262S
JournalEar, Nose and Throat Journal
Volume100
Issue number3_suppl
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • audiometry
  • global health
  • hearing loss
  • hearing tests
  • low- and middle-income countries
  • low-resourced settings
  • mobile health
  • physician-extenders
  • public health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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