The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss among Saudi children.

An epidemiological survey was carried out to identify the magnitude of the problem of hearing impairment (H.I.) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A random sample survey of 10,000 Saudi children below the age of 15 from four main provinces of the country was carried out by a team comprising an audiologist, ENT physician, a nurse and a social worker. A questionnaire modified from (WHO/PD/HI) world Health org was used. Clinical examination and audiological assessment using a tympanometer and a screening audiometer (Madsen) were performed. Those who failed the test or subjects about whom there consisted any doubt, were referred for full audiological assessment including auditory brain stem response (ABR) in the main hospital of the province. H.I. was found in 13% of the children surveyed. 1.27% of the children had H.I. in the left ear and 2.26% in the right ear, whereas 9.47% had H.I. in both ears. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was found among 142 (1.5%) of all children surveyed (1–4 in 1000). This is high compared to other developed countries. This indicates that there is a need for more hearing and speech centers to care for those who have H.I., for training of personnel, parents' education and public awareness