[Report on the study of who ear and hearing disorders survey protocol in Guizhou province].
OBJECTIVE
To undertake a population-based survey on the prevalence, pathogenic factors and medical requirements of ear and hearing impairment.


METHODS
Using the probability proportion to size (PPS) method, 6626 residents were investigated in 30 clusters with the WHO protocol.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hearing impairment was 17.1% (the standardized rate: 17.6% in the whole country). Degrees of hearing impairment were mild (11.0%), moderate (4.2%), severe (1.4%), and profound (0.5%). Among them, male were 663(20.2%) and female were 468 (14.0%). The prevalence of hearing disability was 6.1% (the standardized rate: 6.5% in the whole country). The causes of hearing impairment were ear disorders (31.4%), non-infectious (42. 5%), genetic condino (6.7%), infectious disease (0.4%) and undetermined cause (29.3%). 13.8% of person needed otology and/or audiology actions. 9.1% of person needed hearing aid.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of hearing impairment and hearing disability is higher than last twenty years and it can provide scientific data for drawing up precaution and control strategies on deafness for government.
Hearing Rehabilitation Research Center, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China. hearing@5055.cn
Youqin
Y
Wang
Chongling
C
Yang
Shiwen
S
Xu
Xiaohong
X
Xue
Fei
F
Li
Yuqing
Y
Liu
Qing
Q
Ye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult