Audiometric Assessment amongst Physicians in Rivers State

Hearing loss is an exceptionally common medical condition, progressing in incidence and severity with age (Cruickshanks, et al., 2023; Isaacson, 2010). The affected population is enormous, including neonates, young people and elderly persons. Hearing loss may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed (Zahnert, 2011). Audiologic analysis using pure tone audiometer is performed to assess hearing thresholds across the range of frequencies that are important for human communication (Cunningham and Tucci, 2017). The aim of this study is to ascertain the hearing status of Physicians in Rivers State. Methods: This was a prospective study done in the ENT Surgery department of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt between August to September, 2024. One hundred and forty four medical doctors (64males and 80 females), were recruited for the study. Otoscopy was done on all the subjects and thereafter pure tone audiometry (PTA) was performed on them. Results: Data were analyzed and the result revealed that 95 persons (66%) had normal PTA findings, 26 (18%) had mild SNHL and 23 (16%) had mild CHL. Conclusion: It was observed from this present study that most of the doctors have normal hearing status. This is important because a doctor with hearing impairment may not be able to adequately hear and understand presenting complaint (s) from patient, may not also be able to use the stethoscope and mercury sphygmomanometer to check the blood pressure of a patient and also listen to abnormal heart and chest sounds. This may adversely affect the management of the patient. Therefore, it is recommended that doctors should do routine hearing assessment.