One hundred and fifty-five children with childhood deafness were examined over a period of 4 years in order to assess the aetiology of hearing disorder. In 21 (13%) children, deafness was a sequel of meningitis. Perinatal pathology accounted for 34 (22%) cases. The aetiology of deafness was unknown in 44 (28.4%) children. The percentage of unknown causes can be reduced if the deafness is detected early. Hearing loss was diagnosed only in 30 (19%) children by the age of 2 years. The early detection of deafness can be achieved by screening the high risk infants and educating the general practitioners and health assistants.
Clinical synopsis and investigations on fourteen patients with blast injuries of the ear successfully treated at the ENT Unit of the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, revealed few interesting observations in addition to usual findings. The most outstanding one was the absence of sensorineural deafness, although it has been claimed as one of the most constant features. Conservative management alone was found to be of significant value.
A total of 165 children from a school for the deaf in Malaysia were screened to find out the prevalence of additional conductive hearing loss. Otological examination, tympanometry and pure tone audiometry were performed in all these children. Fifty-one children (30.9%) had additional conductive hearing loss. Middle ear disorders were present in 15 children (9.09%). The deaf children seldom complain about the change in their hearing sensitivity, so there is a need for regular otological examination in deaf children to detect the additional conductive hearing loss.
Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive cocci bacterium that are found mainly in pigs and can be transmitted to human through pigs or pork exposure. The disease is mainly found among occupations involving swine contact in western countries whereas in Asia the disease is usually contracted through raw pork consumption. In this case report, we present a case of a middle-aged Thai man who acquired the infection from raw pork consumption. He presented with endogenous endophthalmitis with infective spondylodiscitis, sepsis and meningitis and later developed blindness of the right eye and permanent bilateral hearing loss disseminated from S. suis infection. Our report suggests that S. suis infection be considered as a causative factor in patient presenting with established clinical symptoms and predisposing factors. Cultural habit of eating raw pork should be taken into account especially in Asian countries.