Design, Organization And Implementation Of Otology Epidemiological Survey Among Middle School Students

ObjectiveThe prevalence of hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo are very high in ear disease. They severely damage people's physical and mental health, and have obvious influences on the living, study and work of the people. In the recent years, acouesthesia of the newborn infant has generally been carried out. At the same time, hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo in the senior citizens have also been more concerned. However, the case of adolescent has received less attention. In order to estimate the condition of hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo, and to investigate the related risk factors among the middle school students in the city of Xi'an, we carry out this investigation so that we can provide the scientific basis for finding effective preventive measures, implement education of acouestic heath, and formulate treatment strategies.MethodsDesign questionnaire and formulate investigation scheme. The target students randomly selected in the middle school of xi'an. Data were collected using questionnaire, ear examination and hearing test. Establish data base and use SPSS15.0 to do the statistical analysis. Results1. There were 1567 middle school students who underwent a complete investigation. The participants comprised 793 males (50.61%) and 774 females (49.39%), average age 15.73±1.41years.2. The overall prevalence of hearing loss was 2.30%. The overall prevalence of vertigo was 5.5%The overall prevalence of tinnitus was 4.3%3. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus between males (3.40%,3.2%, respectively) and females (1.16%,5.6%, respectively). No significant difference of the prevalence was found between males (4.7%) and females (6.5%).4. Noise induced hearing loss, otitis media and impacted cerumen are the most common causes of hearing loss.5. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that:excluding auditory disease, sex, the use of MP3 or MP4, sleep, genetics and medicine history were related to hearing impairment and the use of MP3 or MP4 is the most important. The use of MP3 or MP4, sleep and history of middle ear infections or ototoxic drugs ingestion were the main risk factors for vertigo (odds ratio:2.837,5.582,2.808 and 1.695, respectively. Gender, the use of MP3 or MP4, sleep and history of middle ear infections were the main risk factors for tinnitus (odds ratio:1.690,2.676,2.882and 3.508, respectively.ConclusionThe high prevalence of hearing loss has a negative influence on physical and mental health of middle school students. The major cause of hearing loss is the use of MP3 or MP4 among the middle school students. Gender, sleep, genetics and medicine history are related to hearing loss. Vertigo and tinnitus are common condition in middle school students in the city of Xi'an and has an obvious influence on the study and living of the students. More researches are urgently needed on prevention and treatment of hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo among the middle school students.