Table 5.

Probable causes and type of hearing loss (by ear) amongst those with any level of hearing loss (> 25 dB in better ear)

	Left ear (n = 789)		Right ear (n = 789)
	N	%	N	%
Probable conductive
Impacted wax	17	2.2	18	2.3
Otitis externa	3	0.4	2	0.3
COM – wet perforation	5	0.6	5	0.6
COM – dry perforation	12	1.5	10	1.3
OME	0	0.0	3	0.4
Other middle ear	2	0.3	0	0.0
Total	39	4.9	38	4.8
Probable sensorineural
Acquired	723	91.6	727	92.1
Congenital	1	0.1	0	0.0
Total	724	91.7	727	92.1
Probable mixed
Impacted wax	11	1.4	8	1.0
Otitis externa	0	0.0	2	0.3
COM – wet perforation	3	0.4	2	0.3
COM – dry perforation	11	1.4	10	1.3
OME	1	0.1	1	0.1
Other	0	0.0	1	0.1
Total	26	3.3	24	3.0