Muhammad Shakil Razi, Sofia Razi, Sarvanan Selanduray.
Factors affecting the age of diagnosis of hearing impairment in Malaysian Children.
Pak J Otolaryngol Jan ;22(1):3-9.

This study was carried out at the department of Audiology and Speech Scineces of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between June 2000 and April 2004. The objective was to find out the factors affecting the age of suspicion and diagnosis of hearing impairment in Malaysain children. Of the 1500 questionnaires posted, a total of 840 were returned. Of these, 130 were rejected for various reasons. The result is based on 710 usable questionnaires. There were 406 (57.2%) males and 301 (42.4%) females with a mean age of 9 years 6 months. These children were from all the ethnic groups and represented 11/13 states of Malaysia. Majority of respondents were from Selangor (31%) and Kaula Lumpur (24%). Approximately 77% of children were born in a hospital and 10% in other medical setup. The hearing level of the sample ranged between mild to severe /profound. In 46% cases, parents suspected the hearing impairment first. Medical professionals suspected in 35% cases. The age of suspicion and age ofdiagnosis / confirmation of hearing impairment was 31.3, and 37.8 months respectively. The mean gap between the age of suspicion and confirmation was 6.5 months. Nearly 30% of respondents knew some of the causes of hearing impairment but 80% of respondents did not know the cause of hearing impairment of their children. When the causes of delay in diagnosis were grouped, parents were found to be responsible in 52% of the cases, medical profesionals in 30%, relatives in 11% and audiology centers in 7% cases. Absence of family history of hearing impairment, denial of the existence of hearing impairment by parents, misunderstanding due to child`s response to loud sounds, assurances by the doctors and relatives, first baby and long waiting list in audiology centers were the important causes for the delay in diagnosis / confirmation of hearing impairment. This study shows the need for dissemination of infomration about hearing impairment, importance of early detection and intervention and forging of good relationship between parents, medical and audiology professionals.

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