INTRODUCTION: Hearing loss can compromise language, the learning process, and socialization. OBJECTIVE: To study audiometric findings among Curitiba and Metropolitan Area students. METHODS: Analysis of data collected at the hearing health service of the Paraná State Special Education and Inclusion Department. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 646 students, which included children and teenagers of both genders (38.2% female and 61.8% male participants), with an average age of 8.1 years (range, 2 years to 15 years). All participants were students of state 1 council schools and private schools of Curitiba and Metropolitan Area. The reasons for referral to audiometric evaluation were as follows: otolaryngologist diagnosis, 73.1%; difficulties in performing schoolwork, 39.6%; and moderate hearing problems, 32%. Audiometric results revealed that 29.5% of the student sample had hearing loss. The greatest occurrence of conductive hearing loss was among infant grade students (OD 38.6% to OE 39.8%). The predominant degree of hearing loss was mild (OD 20.5% to OE 19.3%) to slight (OD 17% to OE 19.3%) as well as the horizontal configuration (OD 81.5% to OE 78.4%). CONCLUSION: Considering the available data, above all the high number of conductive losses by audiometric findings, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of prevention and diagnosis of early hearing alteration. It is also necessary to note that Brazil, as an emerging country, has been pursuing improvement in health and quality of life for all citizens, although the improvements are still far from being ideal.
