Prevention and cure of rhinogenous deafness at the Thermal Baths "Bagni delle Galleraie".
BACKGROUND
Hearing is foundamental for human social life. Secretory Otitis Media (SOM) is the most important cause of trasmissive hypoacusis in early childhood.


METHODS
The Department of Physiopathology, Experimental Medicine and Public Health of Siena University in collaboration with the Thermal Baths "Bagni delle Galleraie" proposed a prevention and cure campaign of rhinogenous deafness in June 2002 in some primary schools in the Colle val D'Elsa district. A sample of 87 children was involved in the study (average age of 5,64 +/- 1,41 years). On entering the thermal baths a questionnaire was administered to the parents, to point out possible risk factors.


RESULTS
Among the 87 children, 28 cases of SOM and 21 cases of severe tubal disorder were found. Only 19 cases out of 49 were already known to the parents and only 28 joined the study and were examined for three years consecutively.


CONCLUSIONS
Out of the 35 children examined in 2002, 28 returned to "The Galleraie" for the two following years. They repeated the thermal cure for two years as a preventive measure. At present they are not affected by SOM and during the winters suffered a lower number of infections in the primary airways and took less antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study focuses on infant school children because of their critical age for linguistic and social development. Early diagnosis and therapy prevent any negative social development.
Tozzi
A
A
Department of Physiopathology, Experimental Medicine and Public Health of Siena University, Italy.
Blancasio
A Cervellera
AC
Basagni
C
C
Ricci
C
C
Burzynska
J
J
Battaglia
M A
MA
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D001452:Balneology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications*; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000150:complications*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications; D012572:School Health Services; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome