DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i09.022

Pages: 2090-2094

Deafness is complete inability to hear whereas Hearing impairment is complete or partial inability to hear. There are 4 grades of hearing loss based on hearing threshold of the better ear. In India, nearly 6.3% of the population have hearing impairment and the prevalence of childhood-onset deafness is 2%. The etiological factors leading to deafness are manifold. There is a rise in hearing loss secondary to noise exposure. Severe infections, meningitis, some medications cause hearing impairment. Maternal TORCH infection and chronic ear infection also contribute to hearing loss. It is estimated that nearly 50% of hearing loss are preventable. The 3 strategies are Primary prevention, Secondary Prevention and Tertiary prevention. Primary preventive strategies of deafness include education, hearing conservation programmes and legislation. Immunization of mothers against rubella, Immunization of children against H. influenza, S. pneumonia, measles and mumps can reduce childhood deafness. WHO advises that children should limit exposure to loud sounds? Improved maternal and child health practices would prevent hearing loss. Newborn and infant hearing screening should be mandatory. Awareness against excessive noise exposure should be created. Secondary preventive strategies of deafness include environmental modification. For children admitted to special schools or rehabilitation centres an audiological evaluation should be done prior to admission.There should be regular School-based hearing screening. Tertiary preventive strategies of deafness include hearing aids and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation measures should be provided for those who have developed hearing loss. Early detection and prompt management is the key to address the problem of deafness in India.