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Aims <p>This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of at-risk ears for hearing disorders among lower primary school children in urban Mysuru, Karnataka, India.</p> Materials and methods <p>The cross-sectional, school-based study included 2,821 children aged 6–11 years, using otoscopic examination, pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry and screening for auditory processing disorders. After ethical approvals, a multistage stratified random sampling ensured representative gender and grade distribution. Audiological assessments, conducted by qualified audiologists, classified children as at-risk cases if results deviated from ASHA norms.</p> Results <p>13.6% of screened ears were at risk, predominantly due to treatable conductive pathologies such as cerumen impaction and middle ear effusion. Prevalence of at-risk ears decreased with grade level and showed marginal left-ear predominance; gender differences were negligible. Most at-risk ears were unilateral, often linked to localised or transient middle-ear dysfunction. Binary logistic regression indicated that grade was a significant predictor of hearing outcomes, while ear laterality and gender showed minimal effects. The prevalence of APD in this cohort was 1.13%.</p> Conclusion <p>The study underscores the need for systematic, school-based hearing screenings, noting their effectiveness in early identification and management of reversible childhood hearing impairment. Strengthening awareness and accessibility through regional programs is advocated to ensure optimal hearing health, academic achievement, and comprehensive health services for children. Comprehensive regional prevalence data support informed policy planning and targeted resource allocation.</p>

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Epidemiology of Ears At-Risk for Hearing Loss Among Primary School Children in Mysuru, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月27日

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  • Puttaraju Sahana,
  • Sindhusha Chandran,
  • Suresh Chandana

摘要

Aims

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of at-risk ears for hearing disorders among lower primary school children in urban Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Materials and methods

The cross-sectional, school-based study included 2,821 children aged 6–11 years, using otoscopic examination, pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry and screening for auditory processing disorders. After ethical approvals, a multistage stratified random sampling ensured representative gender and grade distribution. Audiological assessments, conducted by qualified audiologists, classified children as at-risk cases if results deviated from ASHA norms.

Results

13.6% of screened ears were at risk, predominantly due to treatable conductive pathologies such as cerumen impaction and middle ear effusion. Prevalence of at-risk ears decreased with grade level and showed marginal left-ear predominance; gender differences were negligible. Most at-risk ears were unilateral, often linked to localised or transient middle-ear dysfunction. Binary logistic regression indicated that grade was a significant predictor of hearing outcomes, while ear laterality and gender showed minimal effects. The prevalence of APD in this cohort was 1.13%.

Conclusion

The study underscores the need for systematic, school-based hearing screenings, noting their effectiveness in early identification and management of reversible childhood hearing impairment. Strengthening awareness and accessibility through regional programs is advocated to ensure optimal hearing health, academic achievement, and comprehensive health services for children. Comprehensive regional prevalence data support informed policy planning and targeted resource allocation.