Prevalence and risk factors of hearing impairment among primary-school children in Shebin El-kom District, Egypt.

Purpose: This study examined the feasibility of screening hearing loss in rural and urban schools in Egypt, and investigated the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment (HI) in Egyptian primary-school students.

Method: A total of 555 children (6-12 years of age) from a rural and an urban school in the Shebin El-Kom District of Egypt were screened for HI at their schools. A 2-stage screening procedure was used, and positive cases were referred for a diagnostic hearing assessment at a regional medical facility.