Audiologic Screening of Seven- and Ten-Year-Old Children

An audiologic screening of 1 062 ears In 7-year-old and 1 175 ears in 10-year-old children was carried out by means of pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry. New cases of sensorineural hearing loss were found in six ears (0.3%). The prevalence of protracted undiagnosed middle ear pathology was found to be 2.5 and 0.5%, in the younger vs. the older age group respectively. It is concluded that a middle ear pressure more negative than -250 mmH2O would be a suitable fail criterion for tympanometry. It is questionable, however, whether tympanometric mass screening of 7- and 10-year-olds is meaningful. It is felt that pure-tone audiometry maintains its position in the screening role.