Prevalence and patterns of hearing impairment in Egypt: a national household survey

Abstract

We conducted a national household survey to estimate the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Egypt. From 6 randomly selected governorates [‎Alexandria, Dakahlia, Luxor, Marsa Matrouh, Minia and North Sinai]‎, 4000 individuals were screened for hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss was 16.0% with no significant sex differences. There were significant differences between the age groups and governorates: Marsa Matrouh had the highest prevalence of hearing loss [‎25.7%]‎ and North Sinai the lowest [‎13.5%]‎; those >/= 65 years had the highest prevalence [‎49.3%]‎, but it was also high in those aged 0-4 years [‎22.4%]‎. Otitis media with effusion [‎30.8%]‎ was the commonest cause of hearing loss, followed by presbycusis [‎22.7%]‎