Otoscopic and Audiologic Findings in an Ati Community in Boracay

• Published in: Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Main Authors: Maria Rina T. Reyes-Quintos, Regie Lyn P. Santos, Ma. Leah C. Tantoco, Rodante A. Roldan, Kathleen R. Fellizar, Meliza Anne M. Dalizay-Cruz, Generoso T. Abes, Charlotte M. Chiong
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. 2007
• Subjects: Hearing loss; chronic suppurative otitis media; Boracay; indigenous community; Ati; Aeta; Otorhinolaryngology; RF1-547; eskimo*; greenlander*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v22i1-2.791; https://doaj.org/article/2ce8d432d8b644c99cf5222c1e65308f

Background: Certain indigenous populations have been noted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to have the highest prevalence rates for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), including the Australian Aborigines (28-43%), Greenlanders (2-10%) and Alaskan Eskimos (2-10%). Objectives: To determine the prevalence of common ear problems, particularly CSOM, among the indigenous Ati or Aeta community in Bolabog, Boracay, and to determine their hearing sensitivity using screening audiometry. Methods: Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: A small Ati community in Bolabog, Boracay. Population: A total of 63 adults and children underwent medical interview and otoscopy. Additionally 24 had their hearing screened by audiometry. Results: About a quarter of the population participated in the study, including 41 children (40% of all children) and 22 adults (18% of all adults). Forty-six percent of children and 23% of adults who were examined had previous history of ear discharge, while 22% of children and 45% of adults who were examined had history of hearing loss. Seventeen percent of children had history of hearing loss in the family. CSOM was found in 18 (43.90%) children and 8 (36.36%) adults. Impacted cerumen was found in 17.1% of children. Eleven female children underwent screening audiometry. Of these, eight had normal hearing and three had abnormal findings. Thirteen adults were also tested, five of whom were male and had normal hearing bilaterally. Four of eight female adults had abnormal hearing, of which three were unilateral. Conclusions: The Ati population in Bolabog, Boracay belongs to a group with the highest prevalence rates for CSOM (27.0%). A bigger sample for screening audiometry is required for proper estimation of hearing loss prevalence. Both environmental and genetic factors may have increased the prevalence of CSOM in the Ati population of Boracay. Keywords: Hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media, Boracay, indigenous community, Ati, Aeta