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Original Article

Hearing loss in relation to educational attainment and cognitive abilities: A population study

Hipoacusia en relación con los logros educativos y las habilidades cognitivas: estudio en una población

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Pages 172-175 | Received 22 Feb 2006, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Severe hearing loss among children has often been found to be associated with educational disadvantage and lower-than-average performance on cognitive tests, but less is known about the much more widespread milder levels of hearing loss. In a cohort of 22 162 young Danish men appearing before the draft board, about 75% had normal hearing at 20 dB, and about 20% had mild hearing loss not worse than 25 dB in both ears for all tones less than 3000 Hz, and not worse than an average of 45 dB in both ears for all tones above 2000 Hz. The remaining 5% had more severe hearing loss. The proportions who had continued school education after age 16 years among the three groups were 51%, 42% and 34% respectively and their mean IQs were 101, 98 and 94. The evidence suggests that even mild hearing loss is associated with distinct educational and cognitive disadvantage which itself may result from difficulties in following classroom teaching.

Sumario

A menudo se ha asociado la hipoacusia severa en los niños con desventaja educativa y con un desempeño menor al promedio en las pruebas cognitivas, pero poco se sabe acerca de los efectos de la hipoacusia de menor grado que es más frecuente. En una cohorte de 22, 162 jóvenes daneses en su junta de reclutamiento, el 75% tenían audición normal a 20dB, cerca del 20% presentaban hipoacusia superficial no mayor de 25dB en ambos oídos para todos los tonos menores de 3000Hz y no mayor que 45dB en promedio en ambos en todos los tonos mayores de 2000Hz. El restante 5% tenían hipoacusia más severa. La proporción de los que habían continuado su educación escolar después de los 16 años en los tres grupos fue de 51%, 42% y 34% respectivamente y su CI promedio fue de 101, 98 y 94. Esta evidencia sugiere que incluso la hipoacusia superficial se asocia con una desventaja educativa y cognitiva que puede resultar por si misma en dificultades para seguir la enseñanza en una clase.

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