Prevalence of childhood hearing impairment of different severities in urban and rural areas: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Childhood hearing impairment (CHI) is a major developmental disability, but data at the national level are limited, especially those on different severities. We conducted a study to fill this data gap. DESIGN:A nationwide study on the basis of a reporting system. SETTING:To provide services to disabled citizens, the Taiwanese government maintains a registry of certified cases. Using data from this registry, we estimated prevalence rates of CHI of different severities from 2004 to 2010 and made comparisons between urban and rural areas. PARTICIPANTS:Taiwanese citizens ≤17 years old. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES:To qualify for CHI disability benefits, a child must have an unaided pure-tone better ear hearing level at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz with an average ≥55 decibels (dB), confirmed by an o

SUBMITTER: Lin CY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5884361 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature