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Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on June 28, 2005
Journal of Public Health 2005 27(3):298-302; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdi037
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© The Author 2005, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved.

Observed and expected prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham



Julie Mytton
Julie Mytton, Specialist Registrar in Public Health, University of the West of England, Bristol, Glenside Campus, Rm 2E16, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1DD


Ian Mackenzie
Ian Mackenzie, Consultant Audiological Physician, Oldham Primary Care Trust, Cannon Street Clinic, Cannon Street, Oldham OL9 6EP

Address correspondence to Dr Julie Mytton. E-mail: julie.mytton{at}uwe.ac.uk

Background A perceived high prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham, particularly in the Asian community, caused concern during the local implementation of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme.

Methods A retrospective cohort study of cases with dates of birth between 1 January 1986 and 31 May 2003 was undertaken to describe local epidemiology and establish the observed prevalence rate. Expected prevalence was determined by application of published national rates to the susceptible Oldham population.

Results The study identified 132 children in Oldham meeting the case definition. The prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in the non-Asian community (1.34/1000 live births) was equal to published national rates (1.33/1000 live births), but that in the Asian community (4.64/1000 live births) indicated a relative risk of 3.5. Differences in prevalence between observed and expected rates was greater than would have occurred by chance (p<0.001).

Conclusion The clinical suspicion of a raised local prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in Oldham was confirmed. The importance of using locally derived data when implementing national policy is emphasized.

Keywords: permanent childhood hearing impairment, prevalence, hearing screening


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