title: Factors influencing delayed presentation of congenitally hearing impaired children in rural India.
abstract: A study was conducted to determine why there was a delay in detection of hearing loss in congenitally hearing impaired children in rural India. It was found that although the parents of these children visited a primary care physician, relevant information regarding investigation and rehabilitation of hearing loss was not available to the patient. In the absence of a universal hearing screening programme in this country, it is a matter of importance to strengthen this aspect of community otolaryngology in the undergraduate ENT programme. There is also a need for continuing medical education programmes for primary care physicians regarding available methods of investigation and rehabilitation for a hearing impaired person.
authors.affiliation: Department of E.N.T and Head & Neck Surgery, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Sri Siddhartha University, Tumkur, Karnataka India ; Apt. No. 403, Redwood, Raheja Residency, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560034 India.
authors.forename: Geetha
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chary
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Manjunath
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Channakeshava
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Shadab
keywords: Congenital hearing loss; Primary care physician