Himanshu Kumar Sanju

Introduction: Earlier literature has reported the importance of early identification of learning disabilities in school going children. Materials and Methods: A total of 1056 students of secondary school recruited for the present study in the age range of 12 to 17 years from English medium CBSE schools of North India. A learning disability self screening tool was administered on all students participated in the present study. Results: The outcome of the current study showed that almost 12% to 15% of students were having some component of learning disability. Conclusion: The current study revealed that a good percentage of students were at risk of learning disability. The outcome of the study also showed that the few domains of learning disability is well correlated with other domain of learning disability which shows that improvement in one domain will enhance the other domains. Keywords: Learning Disability, Screening, North India.

Earlier investigations have reported congenital hearing loss in pre-term infants. Present study investigated hearing tests among pre-term infants to know the percentage of pre-term infants with hearing impairment. Two stage hearing assessment of pre-term infants showed congenital profound hearing loss in 16% of the infants. Present study showed the importance of TEOAE and ABR as efficient tool for hearing screening of high risk infants. Keywords: Preterm, Infants, India, Hearing Loss.

Numerous studies have concluded that for successful implementation of hearing and speech related programs in a multidisciplinary health care-based set-up, allied health care professionals specialized in any field should have appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the challenges and impact of hearing loss. So, in order to provide abundant knowledge to the allied health professionals audiologists should have evidence based knowledge which can reflect them the actual manifestation regarding the knowledge and attitude of the specialized allied health professionals in areas related hearing loss, assessment, diagnosis and subsequent audiological management. The present research is being conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude among allied health professionals across various range of hospital set up in northern India regarding hearing loss, assessment procedures and intervention options available. A questionnaire-based study (online survey) of 22 questions was adopted from similar kind of studies and was framed with the aim to assess the knowledge and attitude among allied health professionals regrading hearing loss and vestibular disorder. A total of 160 health professionals consisting of psychologist, physiotherapist, optometrist, occupational therapist recruited from medical colleges, government hospitals, primary health centers, ambulatory health care setting participated in the present study. The outcome of the present study reveals that participants had good knowledge and attitude towards the basic areas related to hearing loss and vestibular disorder. However, there are gaps in certain areas where there is a need to increase awareness and educate them regarding the role of an audiologist/speech language pathologist. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Hearing Impairment, Vestibular disorder, Allied health professionals.

Research studies have indicated that there is lack of awareness regarding the adverse effects of hearing loss and vestibular disorder among health professionals and upcoming medical students. So, there is a need to upgrade these professionals and train them which will turn result in proper referrals and better implementation hearing related programs in a health care set-up. Audiologists play a vital role in spreading awareness regarding their role and scope of practice, so they need to initially know the status and level of awareness and knowledge regarding hearing loss and vestibular disorder among the medical students. The present research is being conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude among medical students across various range of hospital set up in northern India regarding hearing loss, vestibular disorder & assessment procedures available. As, these medical students are going to become a qualified physician, henceforth its very necessary that the students have the basic knowledge and must be aware regarding the role of an audiologist/speech language pathologist. A questionnaire-based study (online survey) of 22 questions was adopted from similar kind of studies and was framed with the aim to assess the knowledge and attitude among allied health professionals regrading hearing loss and vestibular disorder. A total of 226 medical students from government and private medical colleges spread across Northern India participated in the present study. The outcome of the present study reveals positive result indicating that participants had good knowledge and attitude towards the basic areas related to hearing loss and vestibular disorders. However, there some drawbacks in certain areas which has be corrected with proper training and knowledge. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Hearing Impairment, Vestibular Disorder, Medical Students.

Background and Aim: Previous studies have reported adverse effect of smoking on our health. Current study aimed to investigate ill effect of hookah smoking on hearing sensitivity, annoyance evaluation, hookah related attitude and knowledge about hearing loss among hookah smokers of village. Matrials and Methods: A questionnaire of 10 questions related to aim and objectives of the study were administered on 146 men smokers participated in the current study. Results: The hazardous effect of hookah smoking on hearing and psychological health are well reflected in the present investigation. Conclusion: Lack of awareness regarding adverse effect of hookah smoking was observed in the present study. Keywords: Hookah, Hearing, Smokers, Tinnitus