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IS HEARING IMPAIRMENT AVOIDABLE?

50% of cases of Deafness can be avoided with adequate
preventative measures and/or early diagnosis / treatment

MANY PEOPLE AFFECTED

WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates that there are 278 MILLION

PEOPLE living with disabling hearing loss around the world.

In Developing Countries, at least 1 out of every 100 people suffers deafness.

It is estimated that more than 3000 people live with Disabling Hearing Loss in the Beni State of Bolivia alone.

68 MILLION PEOPLE (About 25% of the total) have lived with deafness since childhood (most of them can not speak).

Acquired Disabling Hearing Loss is the 3rd (THIRD) most common cause amongst CHRONIC CONDITIONS according
to the number of years lived with disability, in the world, only behind Depression and Accidental Injuries (WHO 2005).

Approximately 120 cases of deafness appear each year in Beni.

50% of all the causes are perinatal or acquired later in life, therefore preventable.

LATE DIAGNOSIS

In Trinidad-Beni, the average age for Definitive Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment is 9 years and 1 month of age.

Only 7.8% of this population is diagnosed before reaching 2 years of age in Trinidad.

The most frequent noted factor in the delayed diagnosis is time waited for referral for a health consultation (5+ years)

In Bolivia, less than 2% of Hearing Disabled are productively included or integrated into society.

WHAT DOES "OYE BOLIVIA" (PPHI) PROGRAMME INCLUDE?

ANY PERSON WITH ONE OR MORE OF THESE FACTORS:

PRE AND PREINATAL FACTORS:

Family History of hereditary deafness
Congenital/perinatal infection: Rubella, Toxoplasmosis, Siphylis, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes and Malaria
Malformations of head and neck: auricle abnormality, cleft palate or leporine lip, dysmorfism.
Birth weight of less than 1500 gr and/or Prematurity of less than 7 months.
Hiperbilirruubin (or pathological jaundice)
Bacterial Meningitis (especially when pathogen is Haemophilius influenzae).
Sever Hipoxia: APGAR 0-3, No spontaneous breathing after 5 minutes. Persistent Hipotone at 2 hours of age.
Oxotoxicity (or suspicion of it).

POSTNATAL FACTORS:

Speech Development Delay
Possible Ototoxicity (before or after)
Otitis Media (Acute or Chronic)
Significant Noise Exposure
Ear, Head or Neck Trauma
Other ear conditions
Health Professional Suspicion
Family or School Suspicion

WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE REFERRED TO "OYE BOLIVIA" (PPHI)?

PRE AND PERINATAL CASES:

FROM 7 DAYS OF AGE. Always better if before 6 months of age.

POSTNATAL CASES:

AT THE MOMENT OF THE HEARING DAMAGE OCCURRING, as soon as suspicion of it takes place or when the patient attends
for Health Consultation.

HOW DOES A PATIENT GET REFERRED TO "OYE BOLIVA" (PPHI)?

Simply fill in a Reference form for the PROGRAMME FOR THE PREVENTION OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT (OYE BOLIVIA)
Register some basic contact information in a Register Book for all the patients referred
Refer the patient, relative or tutor to the TOTAI HEALTH CENTRE, taking the refernce form for Hearing Evaluation
Inform the patient that he/she must make the appointment at the Health Centre or by telephone, calling (3) 46 28042
The Evaluation Consultation to everyone registered with "Oye Bolivia" PPHI, will be FREE OF CHARGE.