Prevalence of hearing loss among preschool children in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss in children is a common entity worldwide. This study examined the prevalence of hearing loss among preschool children in Hanoi, Vietnam.Methods: A cross sectional was conducted among pre-schoolers aged 2-5 years in Hanoi, Vietnam to determine the prevalence of hearing loss according to the method recommended by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH): a two-step Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) program, completed by an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) for the positive diagnosis of hearing impairment.Results: In total, there were 7,191 preschoolers and kindergarten screened. Three hundred and thirty-seven (4.7%) of children screened failed and were referred for further testing. The percentage of children with true hearing loss was 4.4% confirmed by ABR test. Majority of the hearing loss children was conductive hearing loss (70.4%). Mild hearing loss (21–≤40 dB) accounted for almost half of the children with hearing loss.Conclusions: This study provides the first estimates of audiometrically measured hearing loss prevalence among preschool children in Hanoi, Vietnam. The study found that hearing loss is common among pre-primary school children in the country. Routine hearing screening of school-age children should be included in annual school health programs in Vietnam.