Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39753268›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Prevalence of hearing loss and factors associated with hearing loss in Ethiopia: findings from the 2023 National Ethiopia Hearing Survey.

Alene Meshesha, Uta Fröschl, Michael Kebede, Tolesa Diriba Biratu, Yoseph Worku, Fufa Hunduma

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

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6citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Hearing screening outcomes and otoscopic findings among primary school children in Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir Kommunikasieafwykings · 2026
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Alene MesheshaDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Uta FröschlDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Michael KebedeDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tolesa Diriba BiratuDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yoseph WorkuDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6885-0437
Fufa HundumaDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia fhunduma@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7777-4931

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo assess the prevalence and associated factors of hearing loss in Ethiopia, considering socioeconomic conditions, regional variations and age-related impacts.

designNationwide cross-sectional survey.

settingData were collected from 2 February to 10 June 2023, covering all regions of Ethiopia except Tigray (due to security concerns).

participantsA sample of 3000 households and 7061 individuals aged 5 years and above was selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Eligible participants had resided in the area for at least 6 months. Exclusions included visitors, critically ill individuals and those with communication difficulties. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hearing loss was defined as an average hearing threshold >20 dB in the better ear at frequencies of 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz, measured using pure-tone audiometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with hearing loss.

resultsThe overall prevalence of hearing loss among individuals aged 5+ years was 18.4%. The prevalence was 8.1% among children aged 5-14 years and 73.7% among adults aged 60+ years. Factors significantly associated with hearing loss included being over 60 years old (adjusted OR (AOR)=51.41; 95% CI 36.95, 71.53), having no formal education (AOR=2.12; 95% CI 1.47, 3.08), ear discharge (AOR=3.01; 95% CI 2.07, 4.38), wax presence (AOR=1.92; 95% CI 1.53, 2.40), and tympanic membrane abnormality (AOR=17.17; 95% CI 12.27, 24.02). Participants from the Harari (AOR=3.25; 95% CI 1.85, 5.72) and Somali (AOR=2.37; 95% CI 1.49, 3.77) regions were more likely to experience hearing loss compared with those from other regions.

conclusionsHearing loss is highly prevalent in Ethiopia, influenced by both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Regional disparities in hearing loss suggest a need for targeted interventions. Evidence-based policies and strategies are essential to reduce ear diseases, improve hearing care services, and address disparities in hearing health across regions.

Indexed as

Hearing LossAdolescentAdultAgedAudiometry, Pure-ToneChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsEPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIESEPIDEMIOLOGYHealthHealth & safety

Identifiers

PMID39753268
PMCPMC11883615

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.