Analysis of Audiologic Profile in School-age Children

Abstract

Introduction: The identification of hearing problems in schools makes it possible to plan and promote hearing health and to prevent hearing disorders. Aim: To evaluate children’s hearing in a public elementary school. Method: This is a contemporary cross-sectional cohort study. Pure-tone audiometric test was done on 406 students from 1st to 4th grade in a public elementary school. An audiological evaluation was performed at the school with a MAICO MA41 audiometer, in a soundproof booth. Results: Among the 406 children tested, 50 (12.3%) had hearing loss in one or both ears, on one or more frequencies, with the worst average thresholds at the frequency of 6000 Hz with hearing loss happening in the right ear 51.7% of the time, and 356 children (87.7%) had normal results.  Conclusion: We conclude that the hearing tests carried out inside of schools is valid for the detection of hearing loss. Because 12,3% of the children had hearing loss, it is important to develop prevention programs for auditory health Based on other results also found in this study, i.e., thresholds lower than 6000 Hz, more attention needs to be given to increasingly early auditory habits  ch developed by children.