Original Research
The prevalence of hearing impairment within the Cape Town Metropolitan area
Submitted: 28 September 2014 | Published: 08 April 2016
About the author(s)
Lebogang Ramma, Division of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Cape Town, South AfricaBen Sebothoma, Clinical Educator, Division of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hearing impairment in the Cape Town Metropolitan area and to determine factors associated with hearing impairment.
Method: A cross-sectional household survey involving 2494 partcipants from 718 households was conducted between the months of February and October 2013. Random cluster sampling was used to select four health sub-districts from eight health sub-districts in the Cape Town Metropolitan area using a method of probability proportional to size (PPS). The survey was conducted according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol and the classifcation of hearing impairment matched the WHO’s criteria for the grading of hearing impairment.
Results: The overall prevalence of hearing impairment in the population of this study was 12.35% (95%CI: 11.06% – 13.64%) and prevalence of disabling hearing impairment was 4.57% (95% CI: 3.75% – 5.39%) amongst individuals ≥ 4 years old. The following factors were found to be associated with hearing impairment; male gender, age, hypertension, a history of head and neck trauma and a family history of hearing impairment.
Conclusion: Based on the data from communities surveyed during this study, hearing impairment is more prevalent than previously estimated based on national population census information. Interventions for the prevention of hearing impairment in these communities should focus on individuals with associated risk factors.
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Crossref Citations
1. Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity and Associated Factors Among Hearing Impaired Children at Embangweni School of the Deaf in Mzimba District, Malawi
Tambuzai Liyo, Grace Ogbonna, Thokozani Mzumara, Ngozika Ezinne
Clinical Optometry vol: Volume 16 first page: 115 year: 2024
doi: 10.2147/OPTO.S444216