Learning Objectives: By introducing the concept of ear care workers who identify patients having hearing loss by organizing regular ear health camps in rural areas of Kanpur district. If this concept is implemented throughout India, a significant reduction in deafness could be achieved. Those patients who could be benefited from surgery or hearing aids are treated accordingly at low cost with a vision of hearing for all by 2030.
Introduction: Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. As per WHO estimates in India, there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment; this places the estimated prevalence at 6.3% in Indian population.
Materials and Methods: This is an ongoing study. Patients with history of hearing loss were identified by ear care workers through our regular ear health camps in rural areas of Kanpur district. Ear care workers were trained at our base hospital. Patient requiring conservating treatments were treated at the camps. Patients who required surgery or hearing aids were brought to our clinic, subjected to clinical ENT examination, Otoscopy and pure tone audiometry. Surgery was performed, or hearing aids were provided and patients were followed up at regular interval.
Results: 142334 people were screened in the year 2014 in which 10248 suffered from hearing loss. Prevalence of hearing loss was 7.2%. 9310 patients were managed conservatively. Surgery was performed in 506 cases and hearing aid was provided to 432 cases.
Conclusion: This study emphasizes that through the introduction of concept of ear care workers, a large number of unprivileged patients with treatable causes of hearing loss can be provided with appropriate, cost effective and early treatment.
