Risk factors and hearing outcomes in infants and young children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background:  Targeted new-born hearing screening, based on high risk factors is recommended in the absence of universal new-born hearing screening in resource-constrained settings. The relevance of risk factors listed in the guidelines of high-income countries and used by low-middle income countries remains relatively unknown. Risk factors consistent with the epidemiological profile, evolution of risks and disease burden in these countries need to be considered.

Parental views on informational counselling provided by audiologists for children with permanent childhood hearing loss.

Background: The absence of best practice guidelines on informational counselling, has caused lack of clarity regarding the information audiologists should provide to parents and caregivers following the diagnosis of a hearing loss. Research shows that informational counselling provided by audiologists is limited and often biased, with little evidence of how parents experience this service.

Objectives: To explore the nature and practice of informational counselling by audiologists.

Plurality of perspective: Doctor-parents of deaf children in a low-to middle-income country.

Objectives: Pediatric deafness is an important consideration in neurodevelopment. Early identification and intervention are major factors in seeing that deaf children reach their full potential. Often, it is the medical professionals who themselves have limited knowledge about hearing loss or the consequences of delayed language acquisition.

An audiological profile of a cohort of school-aged children with HIV and AIDS attending an antiretroviral clinic in South Africa.

Background: Recent estimates reveal that there are approximately 280 000 children between the ages of birth and 14 years who are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in South Africa. These children are living with a compromised immune system, are vulnerable to opportunistic infections and subsequent hearing loss. However, there is limited research on the nature and extent of this sensory impairment amongst school-aged children.

The hearing screening experiences and practices of primary health care nurses: Indications for referral based on high-risk factors and community views about hearing loss.

Background:  In South Africa, primary health care is the first point of contact with the health system for at least 85% of the population, yet early hearing detection and intervention continues to be elusive in these settings. Nurses at community level may, therefore, be missing an opportunity to identify prelingual infants with hearing losses and alter their developmental trajectory.

Aim:  To determine primary health care nurses' experiences, practices and beliefs regarding hearing loss in infants.

The reality of every day communication for a deaf child using sign language in a developing country.

Background: Research that focuses on the communication between deaf children and their hearing families is scarce despite the majority of deaf children being born into hearing families where a common communication mode needs to be forged.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore, describe and compare the nature of communication across typical daily contexts of a deaf child who uses South African Sign Language (SASL) and who is born into a hearing family with no prior experience of SASL.

Methods: A case study design which included quantitative and qualitative components was used to observe a nine year old grade one child with profound hearing loss.

An audiological profile of patients infected with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.

Background: The increased incidence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and the consequent use of aminoglycosides with their ototoxic potential necessitate a better understanding of the audiological pattern of infected patients.

Objective: To describe the occurrence and nature of hearing loss in patients with MDR-TB receiving aminoglycosides over a period of 6 months.

Methods: Baseline and five consecutive monthly audiological assessments were conducted on 52 adults at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.