Study of prevalence and aetiology of the hearing loss amongst school going children.

School survey study to assess the prevalence rates and aetiological factors causing hearing loss among children in and around Pune Cantonment covering urban and semiurban population has been carried out. We encountered deafness prevalence rate of 11.7% and chronic suppurative otitis media (4.75% of the deaf children) the commonest cause. Maximum number of patients were in age group of 6-11 years and semiurban children and those from lower socio-econimic group had higher prevalence rate as compared to urban children and those from upper socio-econimic group. Relevant suggestions for prevention and management of deafness have been made. This study emphasizes the fact at most of the aetiological factors in causing hearing impairment in school going children are treatable and hence deafness can be prevented to a large extent if remedial measures are taken in time.