Prevalence of speech language and hearing impairment in school going children of rural area: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed on identifying children with hearing, speech and language disorders in rural population that are not identified, diagnosed or rehabilitated yet. The study also focused on collecting a large data with increased study duration to give an appropriate representation of the findings in a rural population.Methods: Subjective tests were used to screen for hearing, speech and language disorders.Results: On performing audiological and speech language tests, 130 children were found to have hearing, speech and language disorders out of 1,453 children.Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that there is a need to create an awareness and importance in identifying hearing and speech language disorders. This can be done by setting up clinics in rural areas, thus improving the accessibility of these diagnostic and rehabilitative services.