Authors: Federica Di Berardino Stella Forti Elisabetta Iacona Giovanna P Orlandi Umberto Ambrosetti Antonio Cesarani
Publish Date: 2012/02/17
Volume: 270, Issue: 2, Pages: 449-453
Abstract
Public awareness of audiological issues has never been measured in the general public even if the World Health Organization WHO has detected a common urgent need for action to prevent and manage ear diseases and hearing loss The aim of this study was to measure urban community citizens’ awareness of managing and preventing ear disease and hearing loss using a specific questionnaire A questionnaire was formulated on the basis of WHO material concerning the major specific audiological issues and attitudes focusing in particular on four domains 1 knowledge of infant hearing loss 2 correct management of the ears including cleaning and treating 3 focus on the effect of overexposure to loud sounds and noise 4 underestimated ear symptoms leading to diagnostic delay 254 volunteers were enrolled in this crosssectional study by a team of medical doctors and audiologists stationed in a mobile unit that visited different areas of Milan Italy More than 80 of correct responses were given to almost all of the statements by the interviewees although certain important knowledge was found to be lacking The proposed audiological questionnaire seems to be a suitable tool to evaluate the public awareness of ear and hearing management The results showed a need for continued development of comprehensive hearing conservation programs focused on hearing aid management and early infant hearing loss identification as well as noise exposure
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