Prevalence and incidence of hearing loss in school-aged children in Santiago, Chile.

Abstract

Background: Countries need information about epidemiology of hearing loss along the lifespan to develop adequate health policies.

Objectives: Estimate prevalence of hearing loss in children six years old in the south-west area Santiago, Chile, and estimate incidence of late-onset hearing loss for the same population. Secondary objective: explore risk factors associated with hearing loss.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional study, recruitment of children between March and June 2022, public schools South-west area of Santiago, Chile, attending first grade. We employed DPOAE for screening of hearing loss, all subjects with uni or bilateral refer were assessed with otomicroscopy, tonal audiometry, and impedanciometry.

Results: 588 children, 54.3% female, 45.7% male, mean age six years (SD .3). Estimated prevalence of all types of hearing loss 2.22% (IC95% 1.19-3.76), of permanent hearing loss 0.34% (IC95% 0.05-5.3), and incidence of late-onset hearing loss 0.17% (IC 95% 0.03-4.17) in six years. No risk factor was significant for hearing loss of any type.

Conclusions and significance: Prevalence of hearing loss in first-grade children in Santiago, Chile, was higher than the rate reported for newborns in the same population, advocating for screening after the newborn period. Further research is needed to recommend a specific age range for re-screening.