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Research Article

Audiometric screening of a population with intellectual disability

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Pages 50-56 | Received 20 Dec 2012, Accepted 03 Jun 2012, Published online: 30 Oct 2012
 

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in hearing screening of a population with mild to profound intellectual disability (ID). Design: PTA was performed at six frequencies at the screening level 20 dB HL. Referral criteria were threshold levels ≥ 25 dB HL at two or more frequencies for one ear or both. Study sample: 1478 participants aged 7–91 years were included. Results: 1470 (99.5%) people cooperated in screening of which 1325 (90%) could be tested on both ears at all six frequencies. A majority, 987 (66.8%), performed ordinary PTA, 234 (15.8%) conditioned play audiometry, and 249 (16.9%) behavioural observation audiometry. Six hundred and sixty-nine (45%) passed and 809 (55%) failed according to referral criteria. Of those failing, 441 (54.5%) accepted referral to clinical evaluation. Conclusions: PTA with slight modifications is applicable for screening of a population with mild to profound intellectual disability. The most challenging and time-consuming activity is to introduce the test procedure in a way that reduces anxiety and establishes trust.

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the former Älvsborg County Council and the former Swedish Council for Social Research.

Declaration of interests: The authors report no conflict of interest.

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