FACTORS INFLUENCING HEARING LOSS AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS IN FADA, KPAK DISTRICT OF KAGORO, KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The work is on the assessment of factor influencing hearing loss among Adolescents and Adults in Fada, Kagoro Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The ability to hear is critical to understanding the world around us as well as interacting with each other. Unfortunately, hearing impairment is the most frequent sensory deficit in human populations and affects both newborns, children, adults and the elderly regardless their socioeconomic statuses globally. This study was therefore initiated to examine the factors influencing hearing loss among adolescents and adults in Fada District of Kagoro. The works of prominent authors including the World Health Organization, Guilamo-Ramos, Litardo, and Jaccard, were reviewed in line with the study objectives. Research design was adopted where 293 participants in Fada District of Kagoro were sampled for the study. Percentages and frequencies were used in analyzing the data so obtained. The study also shows that availability of treatment options, provision and acceptance of hearing aids (88.74%), avoidance of ototoxic drugs 75.09% and change of attitude and knowledge on the case the cause of hearing loss 87.03% are the different ways adopted to prevent the problem of hearing loss in Fada, Kagoro Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.The result further shows that the different ways of managing the health disorder associated with hearing loss in Fada Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna Stat. acceptance of hearing aids (90.44%), cultural acceptance of the causes of hearing loss (88.74%) and early treatment of ear infection (85.32%). Also in relation to the types of hearing loss, all the items have 50% and above which means that the respondents agreed that mild 81.91% moderately severe 81.91 and moderate hearing loss are ones that mostly the types of hearing loss in Fada, Kagoro Kaura L.G.A of Kaduna State. It was recommended among others that Government should formulate policies that will ensure adequate sensitization on how to use social amenities such as phones and earpiece.