Overview of a public health approach to pediatric hearing impairment in the Pacific Islands

Childhood hearing impairment is a significant cause of disability in developing countries. Otitis media and meningitis are leading infectious causes of preventable hearing loss in children. It is estimated that the Pacific Islands have among the greatest global burden of childhood hearing impairment due to infectious causes, and yet there is currently very little in the research literature on pediatric hearing disorders in this region.(1) To review existing research literature on pediatric hearing impairment in the Pacific Islands, and (2) to present a public health approach to the development and improvement of childhood hearing services in the Pacific Islands.The primary tool was a comprehensive literature review. MEDLINE and ScienceDirect databases were searched for relevant journal articles. There was no limit on the date of publication. Any article reporting on hearing impairment in the Pacific Region was included.A total of 23 journal articles were found that satisfied the above inclusion criteria. The limited information available in the literature suggests that otitis media and vaccine-preventable infections are a significant cause of avoidable childhood hearing impairment in the Pacific Islands. Pediatric audiology services are limited in this region. Further research is required to develop effective public health programs that should reduce the burden of preventable childhood hearing loss in the Pacific Islands.There is limited information in the research literature on pediatric hearing impairment and audiology services in the Pacific Islands. Epidemiological data based on the WHO Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol are urgently needed, and the development of audiology services within the existing public and primary health care framework should reduce the burden of preventable hearing loss in the Pacific Islands

A public health approach to pediatric hearing impairment in the Pacific Islands

Childhood hearing impairment is a significant cause of disability in developing countries, where infectious diseases are the leading cause of avoidable pediatric hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) theme for World Hearing Day 2016 was “Childhood hearing loss: act now, here’s how!”, with a focus on preventable childhood hearing impairment through public health measures. This message was reprised for World Hearing Day 2017 with “Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment”. The integration of pediatric audiology services with public health initiatives, combined with sustainable capacity- development and training of local health professionals, should reduce the burden of pediatric hearing impairment in developing countries, and make a positive contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The WHO defines public health as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society”.http://www.jogh.orgam2018Speech-Language Pathology and Audiolog

Parental knowledge and attitudes to childhood hearing loss and hearing services in the Solomon Islands

An understanding of parental knowledge and attitudes towards childhood hearing loss is essential to the successful implementation of audiology services. The present study aimed to investigate parental knowledge and attitudes among parents in the Solomon Islands.A total of 100 mothers and 50 fathers were administered a questionnaire via semi-structured interviews.Highest parental awareness of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was noted for otitis media (94%), noise exposure (87.3%), and family history (72.7%). The highest parental awareness concerning public health initiatives to reduce/prevent otitis media was noted for routine childhood immunizations (84%) and breast-feeding (76%). Higher rates of knowledge in fathers than in mothers included otitis media (p\ua0=\ua00.038), noise exposure (p\ua0=\ua00.007), and breast-feeding (p\ua0=\ua00.031). Approximately half of parents (56%) agreed that curses may cause hearing loss. Overall parental responses showed positive support for infant hearing screening programs (96%) and school-based ear and hearing health examinations (99.3%).High levels of parental readiness and support for childhood hearing services in the Solomon Islands was evident. Knowledge of aetiology of childhood hearing loss was highest for otitis media, noise exposure, and family history. Knowledge and attitudes of fathers to childhood hearing loss and hearing services was either the same or better than that of mothers

Prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants attending child welfare clinics in the Solomon Islands

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of otitis media and risk-factors for sensorineural hearing loss among infants in the Solomon Islands, in order to recommend an Infant Ear and Hearing Program that would be suitable to the Pacific Island context. Methods: Ear examinations and the JCIH Risk-Factor Questionnaire were administered to 288 infants attending Child Welfare Clinics in the Solomon Islands. Results: Overall, 150 infants (52.084%) presented with bilateral normal ear examinations and no risk-factors for SNHL. There were 73 infants (25.34%) with ear pathology in at least one ear, 13 (4.5%) of whom required referral to the ENT Clinic for medical management. The most common pathology was otitis media with effusion (OME) (21.87%). Infants aged 7-12 months were significantly more likely to present with OME (

Prevalence of ear disease and associated hearing loss among primary school students in the Solomon Islands: otitis media still a major public health issue

The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of otitis media and associated hearing loss among primary school students in the Solomon Islands.A total of 604 primary school students (280 males, 324 females) aged 4-15 years were assessed in two primary schools (government, nongovernment) in the capital city Honiara. School-based ear examinations were performed, including otoscopy and tuning-fork tests. Students were referred to the ENT Clinic for medical intervention and/or pure-tone audiometry assessment.A total of 342 students (56.6%) did not pass their ear examination, with a significantly higher fail rate among younger students (p