Profound and total deafness in Owerri, Nigeria.

Profound and total hearing loss is a health hazard of concern in the developing countries. This is because of the fact that facilities for proper diagnosis and the resources for improving the education and psychosocial problems of the victims are scarce and limited. In a prospective two-year study of this "hidden handicap" in Owerri, Nigeria, 128 patients were found to be totally deaf. Sixty six males and sixty two females were affected. The peak prevalence was amongst those below 10 years of age with 80 patients. Febrile convulsion was the commonest cause being responsible for 23.43% of all patients. Poor health education, ignorance, and inaccessible health facilities were identified as contributing factors. An awareness of hearing preservation programme through a well planned primary health care and a co-ordinated audiological services is advocated. This will help in the prevention and reduction in the incidence of this menacing handicap.