Audiologic Screening Of 183 Preschool-children

Objective: This study was designed to determine the incidence of hearing loss and ear disorders in a kindergarten and to assess the feasibility of preschool hearing screening.Methods: Ear disorders and hearing loss screening were carried out bymeans of ear inspection,otoscopic inspection, pure tone audiometry screening, TEOAE , immittance screening.Screening procedures and pure tone passing criteria were according to Colorado early childhood hearing screening guidelines.Tympanometry screening criteria was based upon the research of tympanometry norms for preschool children by qian zhirui,dou xunwu& hao jianping(1995). Screening was three phases, the first screen ,the follow-up screen and the follow-up check-up.Children failing the screening were to have diagnostic hearing testing after 3 weeks and timely intervention was given to children who had hearing loss or ear disorders.Results: A totol number of 183 preschool children were taken part in ear disorders and hearing loss screening.In the first screen , the passing rate for pure tone was 77%, TEOAE 84.7%,Tympanometry 78.7%.68 preschool children failed in the first screen were informed to attend the follow up screen.In the follow up screen,the passing rate for pure tone was41.9%,TEOAE 32.1%,Tympanometry 35.9%.Of 39 cases who failed in follow up screen,25 cases had normal diagnostic hearing evaluation ,3 cases were missing, 11 cases were diagnosed to have hearing loss and/or ear disorder.Of 11 cases, 5(2.7%) children were found to have a sensonneural hearing loss,4 (2.2%) children were found to have the ear disease of otitis media ,2(1.1%) children were found to have the ear disease of impacted cerumen, 5(2.7%) children were found to have a conductive hearing loss due to otitis media and impacted cerumen.Children who had otitis media or impacted cerumen were referred to ENT department,children who had moderate or profound sensorineural hearing loss were wearing hearing aids.Conclusion: The incidence of ear disorder and hearing loss in preschoolchildren is highland preschool hearing screening is necessary and feasible ,but still needs the growing body of related literature supporting the feasibility.Preschool children hearing loss can be identified early in order to be provided timely intervention earlier.preschool children;sensorineural hearing loss;...