Hearing loss at 4KHz in school age children in Jordan : a pilot study

Abstract EN

Pure tone screening audiometry was carried out on 400 school children at three different ages, 10,13 and 15 years old during the period 1998-1999.

The results showed that the dip at 4KHz (>20dB) was found in 50 (12.5 %) of the study sample, 35 boys (8.7 %) and 15 (3.8 %) girls.

The 4KHz dip was unilateral in 42 children (10 %) and bilateral in 8 children (2.5 %).

The number of children with 4KHz dip increased with age.

At the age of 15 years, it was found in 17(4.2 %) boys and 7(1.7 %) girls, two or more frequencies were affected in 5 and hearing thresholds of 40 dB and worse were found in 7 of the children.

The results clearly indicate that noise pollution is one of the causes of hearing loss among school age children.

Therefore, it is recommended to implement a hearing conservation programme at school.