title: Otitis media and hearing loss in the children of the Ruatoki valley: a continuing public health problem.
abstract: A longitudinal survey of ear disease using repeated otomicroscopy has demonstrated cases of persistent middle ear effusion, cholesteatoma and perforation in a group of 275 Maori children. The hearing of 194 of the children was assessed, and 25% of them were found to have a hearing loss. It is concluded a public health problem exists with these children. Improved detection and treatment of ear disease and hearing loss in this population is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giles
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011634:Public Health; D012008:Recurrence