Hearing loss in rural population : the etiology.

Out of the five sensations, hearing is a major one. The gross impairment of hearing especially in the children lead to lack of development of speech and makes the person grossly handicapped. This study consisting of 758 cases from rural area having hearing impairment, was aimed to findout the various aetiological factors resulting in hearing loss. 62.2% of cases belonged to 0-20 years age group. Otitis media (57.25%) was the commonest aetiological factor. Conductive hearing loss was the commonest type of hearing loss in otitis media. 86.17% cases of otitis media were in age group 0-20 years.