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10/09/2015  |   1:45 PM - 3:00 PM   |  SAC Auditorium

Self-reported etiologies of hearing loss in patients turning up to receive hearing aids during an audio-otology camp in Rwanda

Introduction: Hearing impairment (HI) may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. There exists varying causes for hearing loss, some of which are preventable or avoidable through simple and cost effective interventions such as immunization of childhood diseases, prevention, early identification and timely treatment. A study was conducted to find out self- reported etiologies of hearing loss among patients who turn up at audio-otology camps with confirmed or perceived hearing loss to receive hearing aids. Methods: Cross sectional data was collected among subjects who presented to a free medical camp for treatment for ear diseases and or to receive hearing aids and who gave consent to participate in the study. Results: The study enrolled 129 patients of whom 57.4% were males aged 6 to 80 years with a mean of 30.55 years. Forty five percent reported onset of hearing loss within the age range of 5 to 15 years. Infections were the most common cause of HI reported in 64.3% of patients while 13.2 % could not identify a cause for their HI. Only 20.1% of patients sought medical care within 6 months of onset of hearing loss. Lack of awareness on HI accounted for 48.0% of the reasons given for delayed presentation. Conclusion: Infections remain the most common cause of HI. Nevertheless, those affected tend to seek treatment at a delayed stage due to lack of awareness. More effort is required to increase awareness about causes of HI which may modify health seeking behavior and eventually curb preventable causes hearing loss.

• There is very minimal awareness of issues around hearing loss
• Most of those affected rarely seek treatment for their problem
• Most those with hearing loss present for treatment very late

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Kaitesi Mukara (Primary Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Kigali University Teaching Hospital, kaibat@hotmail.com;
Biography Dr. Mukara Batamuliza Kaitesi is a Rwandese Otolaryngologist and Audiologist . She is a senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and Pharmacy. Kaitesi is the Head of ENT department, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Rwanda. She is also a CARTA fellow and a DAAD scholar pursuing a PhD in Public health at Makerere University, Uganda. Her research interest is audio-otology with a bias in primary health promotion and prevention interventions as well as advocacy and policies for ear and hearing health. She holds an MSc in Audiology from the University of Southampton in the UK, a Masters of Medicine degree in Ear Nose and Throat, Head and Neck Surgery from University of Nairobi in Kenya prior to which she was awarded a degree in Human Medicine from the now University of Rwanda.