Hearing screening in Australian Aboriginal university students

Abstract

Many indigenous peoples have been found to show an increased prevalence of both middle ear disorder and associated conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss may cause educational disadvantage during school years. For many indigenous populations in developed countries there are now increasing opportunities to participate in established formal education. This has led to greater numbers of indigenous students in post-secondary education. This study examined the results of a three-year hearing health programme for Australian Aboriginal students entering university studies. Prevalence rates were compared with those of urban Aboriginal adult non-students and non-indigenous populations. It was found that 15.5% of indigenous university students had a unilateral or bilateral hearing loss. Recommended screening procedures and methods to enhance classroom listening for indigenous hearing impaired students were suggested.