Factors influencing delayed presentation of congenitally hearing impaired children in rural India.

A study was conducted to determine why there was a delay in detection of hearing loss in congenitally hearing impaired children in rural India. It was found that although the parents of these children visited a primary care physician, relevant information regarding investigation and rehabilitation of hearing loss was not available to the patient. In the absence of a universal hearing screening programme in this country, it is a matter of importance to strengthen this aspect of community otolaryngology in the undergraduate ENT programme. There is also a need for continuing medical education programmes for primary care physicians regarding available methods of investigation and rehabilitation for a hearing impaired person.