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Routine Audiometry
A routine audiometry service was maintained during the greater part of the year, on a part-time
basis of three days per week. The investigations of the Audiometer Operator were aimed at the
Junior Departments of the Primary Schools, and the results of the work performed can be
summarised as follows:—
Number of individual children tested 6,246
Number found to have normal hearing 5,880
Number found to have a hearing loss 366
(It must be appreciated that these tests are carried out in schools under difficult auditory
conditions and it is inevitable for some children to be recorded as having a hearing loss when in
fact, they have normal hearing.)
Of the 366 children:
54 were found to have a hearing loss in the right ear.
61 were found to have a hearing loss in the left ear.
251 were found to have a hearing loss in both ears.
The 366 children were referred for examination by the School Doctors with the following
results:—
(a) Number of children found to have normal hearing on clinical testing: 121.
(44 were noted for re-examination and 77 were discharged)
(b) Number of children found to have a mild hearing loss: 212.
153 were noted for re-examination.
14 were referred for specialist consultation at hospital ear, nose and throat departments.
8 were referred to general practitioners.
16 were already attending hospitals.
11 were already attending Audiology Units.
5 were referred to Audiology Units.
5 failed to keep appointments and are being followed up.
(c) Number of children found to have a moderate to severe hearing loss: 17.
11 of these children were already attending Audiology Units.
3 were referred to General Practitioners.
3 were noted for re-examination.
(d) Number of children who left the area of the Borough while investigations were proceeding:
16.
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