O`Hara J, Khan SW, Inam N, Chugtai F, Tariq MA, Quraishi MS.
Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in Sibilings of Deaf Children.
J Pak Med Assoc Jan ;52(2):73-7.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of hearing impairment in siblings of children with profound to total hearing impairment. Method: Two hundred and twenty siblings of children at a deaf school in Karachi completed the screening program. This consisted of a questionnaire and pure tone audiometry. Results: One out of three (73 siblings) had a threshold of 25 dB or greater in their better ear. In a population, already aware of hearing loss, we note that only fifteen siblings had a previous audiogram. Although a positive family history is associated with hearing impairment in the siblings, no increase due to consanguineous marriages was noted. Conclusion: This assessment has underlined the need to increase public awareness of hearing impairment. It has also exposed the lack of it in families exposed to the condition (JPMA 52:73,2002).

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