Quinn Susan, Rance Gary
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Int J Audiol. 2009 Mar;48(3):123-34. doi: 10.1080/14992020802516558.
The hearing status of 109 Indigenous prisoners was investigated at five prison locations in Victoria, using audiological methods and face-to-face interview. The study found predominantly mild, sensorineural hearing loss. The rate of conductive hearing impairment was consistent with an age-matched general adult population (UK). All eardrums were intact, and 89% of middle-ears were normally air filled. Results showed 12% of prisoners had a hearing loss (average. 0.5, 1, 2, & 4 kHz >or=25 dB) in at least one ear, compared with 5% in an age-matched Australian adult population. More than a third (36%) had high-frequency, sensorineural hearing impairment (4 or 6 kHz >or=25 dB), in one or both ears. Over half of the inmates (58%) reported hearing problems sometimes, and 4% reported a lot of hearing trouble. The majority of prisoners (92%) reported exposures to loud noise, and tinnitus was reported by 72% of prisoners. For hearing-impaired individuals within the correctional system, the reduced ability to communicate with ease may impact detrimentally on daily interactions, and may impede progress through rehabilitation programs.
在维多利亚州的五个监狱地点，采用听力学方法和面对面访谈对109名原住民囚犯的听力状况进行了调查。研究发现主要是轻度感音神经性听力损失。传导性听力障碍的发生率与年龄匹配的英国普通成年人群一致。所有鼓膜均完整，89%的中耳正常充满空气。结果显示，12%的囚犯至少一只耳朵有听力损失（平均0.5、1、2和4千赫≥25分贝），而年龄匹配的澳大利亚成年人群中这一比例为5%。超过三分之一（36%）的囚犯一只或两只耳朵有高频感音神经性听力障碍（4或6千赫≥25分贝）。超过一半（58%）的囚犯有时报告有听力问题，4%的囚犯报告有很多听力问题。大多数囚犯（92%）报告曾接触过大噪音，72%的囚犯报告有耳鸣。对于惩教系统中听力受损的个体，轻松沟通能力的下降可能会对日常互动产生不利影响，并可能阻碍康复计划的进展。
