The incidence of hearing disorders in schoolchildren of Trinidad

ABSTRACT

Two thousand forty-seven (2047) ears of elementary school childern of the Republic of Trinidad were screened with pure-tone and immitance tests. Approximately 20 percent of the ears showed type B and C tympanograms, compared with only 2 percent failing a 30dB, 4 KHz tone. In 13 percent an ipsilateral middle ear muscle reflex could not be elicted. Results are reported in terms of the subjects' racial background. This study tends to support the theory of a genetic origin of otitis media. (AU)