Risk factors for hearing impairment in Indian scenario: A retrospective study

Pages: 1596-1598
Navnit Kumar (Speech Language Pathology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore)
Ankita Kumari (MASLP, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai)
Nachiketa Rout (National Institute of Empowernment of Persons with Multiple Disability, Chennai) The present study explores the significant risk factors that might help in early identification of neonates at risk for hearing loss, at places where objective hearing screening instruments were not assessable. Retrospective information from the database of 617 children diagnosed with hearing loss were compared with high risk factors for hearing impairment as recommended by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH). Home-delivery (p = .002) was reported amongst 30 % of the data sample. Primary pregnancy (p = .004) and low birth weight (p = .01) were found in 27 % and 25 % of the sample. These Non-JCIH indicators might be used as a screening tool for earliest identification of neonates at risk for hearing loss.