IDENTIFYING HEARING LOSS BY MEANS OF IRIDOLOGY

Authors

  • De Wet Swanepoel University of Pretoria
  • Natalie Stearn University of Pretoria

Keywords:

Audiology, Hearing loss, Iridology,

Abstract

Objectives: Isolated reports of hearing loss presenting as markings on the iris exist, but to date the effectiveness of iridology to identify hearing loss has not been investigated. This study therefore aimed to determine the efficacy of iridological analysis in the identification of moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in adolescents. Design: A controlled trial was conducted with an iridologist, blind to the actual hearing status of participants, analyzing the irises of participants with and without hearing loss. Subjects: Fifty hearing impaired and fifty normal hearing subjects, between the ages of 15 and 19 years, controlled for gender, participated in the study. A qualified and experienced iridologist analyzed the participants’ irises. Results: The sensitivity and specificity rates for identifying hearing loss by means of iridological procedures were 76% and 34% respectively. No statistically significant relationship was however, evident between iridological analysis and hearing status. Conclusions: Sensitivity and specificity rates of identifying hearing loss by iridology were not comparable to those of traditional audiological screening procedures.

Author Biographies

De Wet Swanepoel, University of Pretoria

Senior lecturer and audiologist

Natalie Stearn, University of Pretoria

Postgraduate student / audiologist at Pretoria Academic hospital

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Published

2006-11-13

How to Cite

Swanepoel, D. W., & Stearn, N. (2006). IDENTIFYING HEARING LOSS BY MEANS OF IRIDOLOGY. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 4(2), 205–210. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/ajtcam/article/view/143

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2007)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution CC.

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