Prevalence of Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Childhood hearing loss has well-known lifelong consequences. Certain rural populations are at higher risk for infection-related hearing loss. For Alaska Native children, historical data on hearing loss prevalence suggest a higher burden of infection-related hearing loss, but updated prevalence data are urgently needed in this high-risk population.

Design

Hearing data were collected as part of two school-based cluster-randomized trials in 15 communities in rural northwest Alaska over two academic years (2017-2019). All enrolled children from preschool to 12th grade were eligible. Pure-tone thresholds were obtained using standard audiometry and conditioned play when indicated. The analysis included the first available audiometric assessment for each child (n = 1634

SUBMITTER: Emmett SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10426776 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep-Oct 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature