Early on Set Presbyacusis in Gwagwalada Area Council of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Background: Presbyacusis is a major cause of hearing loss among seniors. The condition attracts attention following the prediction of World Health Organization that elderly population is expected to hit 1.2 billion by 2025 out of which more than 500 million of them will suffer from sensorineural hearing loss(SHL) worldwide. The studies have shown that this begins to reflect on audiograms as from the third decade, mainly in the high frequencies. Aim/objective: This study evaluated the early on-set presbyacusis at Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal capital territory-Abuja. Method: It was a multi-stage sampling, prospective, cross-sectional study done in FCT, Abuja. Participants from age 20 years and above were recruited into the study after signing informed consent. The presumed risk factors as highlighted in the questionnaire were screened out. Results: Two hundred and two participants were recruited into the study, out of which twelve were excluded from the analysis on account of various exclusion criteria. The age range of the participants was 20 to 79 years, with an average age of 54.8 ± 5.6 years. One hundred and fourteen (60.0%) males and seventy-six (40.0%) females participated in the study. The commonly reported associated symptom was tinnitus. About 32.0% of the participants had moderate sensorineural hearing loss. However, the prevalence of presbyacusis was 28.2% for age below 65 years and 78.8% for 65 years and above. The cumulative prevalence was 54.2%. Conclusion: The study has shown that presbyacusis occur as early as the third decade of life, possibly subclinical before age 65 years. The prevalence was 28.2% before age 65 years and 78.8% from age 65 years, there was a steady increase in percentage of participants with SNHL from age 20 years, and a significant sudden increase from 65 years was observed with a sloping tracing at high frequency.

Surgical Audit of Sino-Nasal Diseases in a Tertiary Care Centre—A Prospective Study

Aims of the study: 1) To study the distribution of various Sino-nasal diseases in our region;2) To emphasize the significance of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Material and methods: This surgical study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur. The study period was from 21st March 2014 to 20th March 2015 (267 cases). After a preliminary examination, all patients were subjected to Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy followed by radiological examination. Based on the symptoms and the findings, patients were treated by surgery (mainly FESS), pharmacotherapy, and chemo-radiotherapy. Results: In our study, the majority of cases were deviated nasal septum with sinusitis about 62% (165 cases). The other cases were antrochoanal polyp 8% (21 cases), ethmoidal polyposis 9% (23 cases) and others 21% (51 cases). The age group vulnerable for these diseases is 20 - 40 years. Males are affected more commonly than females. Conclusion: Majority of the cases were treated by Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. So we have to improve the surgical skills in this field to achieve a good outcome.

Assessment of Hearing Status by Pure Tone Audiogram—An Institutional Study

Aim: To assess the hearing status of the study subjects in terms of degree and type of hearing loss, and establish the burden of this disability in the society. Materials and methods: This is a prospective study conducted in patients who attend our OPD. After an otorhinolaryngeal examination, all the patients were subjected to pure tone audiometry using MAICA-MA52 audiometer. Results: Our study comprises 1012 males (64%) and 563 females (36%). Out of this, about 15% have conductive deafness and 42% have sensorineural hearing loss. About 29% suffer from mild hearing loss, 26% moderate and 11% severe hearing loss. The alarming information is that about 5% have total hearing loss of Sudden Sensorineural type (SSNHL). Conclusion: Pure tone audiometry is cost effective and easy to perform. Early diagnosis and timely intervention will reduce the morbidity of deafness in our country. Hence it is necessary to identify and treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss and noise induced hearing loss at an early stage.