Otologic Care in a School for the Deaf

Abstract

Recent studies at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf revealed both a high prevalence and a high incidence of external, middle, and inner ear disease among the students enrolled. This paper illustrates the role of the otolaryngologist in the otologic evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in this special population and in the supervision and training of relevant health care personnel. Included in this discussion are (1) the implementation and results of an otologic surveillance and maintenance program at the school for the deaf, (2) the methods and results of vestibular evaluation in this population, and (3) an example of the procedures possible to prepare for and facilitate the hospitalization of a deaf child.