SCREENING OF DEAF CHILDREN- AN EXPERIENCE AT RAMAKRISHNA MISSION SEVA PRATISHTHAN HOSPITAL IN WEST BENGAL

Dr. Gargi Podder*(MSc, PhD. Research Associate), Mr. Babuji Santra(MSc, Research Fellow), Dr. Ranjan Roychoudhury (MS. Professor), Dr.Amitabha Roychoudhury(MS. Professor), Dr. Madhusnata De (MSc, PhD. Professor)

ABSTRACT

Background: Hearing impairment is the most frequent sensory deficit in human populations, affecting more than 250 million people in the world. One in 2,600 newborns has Non syndromic Hearing Loss (NSHL). The incidence of hearing loss in India is found to be 1 to 6 per 1000 newborns screened. Screening only the high risk neonates misses 50% of babies with hearing loss, hence a cost effective universal screening is the viable option to sustain such a program. Methods: In our study, the possible burden of hearing disability was evaluated in babies born at Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan Hospital, Kolkata, India. Total 222 newborn children were screened by Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). Audiometry was performed in 288 cases from 1225 cases who attended the ENT outdoor for various problems. Results: Out of 288 cases 22 were diagnosed as deaf in both ears since birth, after audiometry test. All the cases chosen for our study were up to the age of 15 years. The new born babies undergo of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test (222 cases) 88% had pass report in both ears, 6.75% cases in right ear and 5.85% cases in left ear had refer report. The refer cases were asked to reattend after six months.

Keywords: Hearing loss, Screening, Nonsyndromic, Otoacoustic Emission.