View report page

82
Most of the above cases, particularly those with a history of
the disease of long standing had been treated by their own doctor
or at hospital. In many the treatment had either been abandoned
or had been intermittent. In some the discharge from the ear
was not considered important enough to seek medical advice or had
not been noticed by the parents. It is hoped with the continued
practice of examining the ears of all children by the auriscope at
school medical inspection and at Child Welfare Centres that
otitis media will be detected at an early stage of the disease when
treatment can be advised. The earlier the disease is detected,
supervised and treated the greater is the hope of cure and the more
likely the preservation of hearing.
Defective Hearing.
In each case referred to the Clinic hearing was tested before
and after treatment. The audiometer was not used the voice
tests being considered satisfactory for all practical purposes.

Total with some hearing defect on the 31st December, 1937 71
It is seen in this table that 71 cases continued to have defective
hearing of greater or less extent after treatment. In 16 of these
the hearing defect was considered to be permanent; one case was
referred to a School for the Deaf and 14 for hospital treatment.
It will probably mean that at least 31 of the total 108 cases will
have permanent defective hearing.