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Updated: May 1, 2026

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
[Hearing impairment and language delay in infants: diagnostic and genetic]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals,-Nasen,-und Ohrenheilkunde, Uniklinik Köln.
Insights
Early hearing screening for newborns in Germany, using TEOAE or AABR, aids in detecting hearing loss and developmental delays. This ensures timely intervention for infants and toddlers, promoting healthy language acquisition and preventing long-term issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Context:
- Newborn hearing screening is mandatory in Germany since 2009.
- Screening protocols differentiate between healthy and at-risk newborns.
- Early detection of hearing impairment is crucial for infant development.
Purpose:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of infant hearing and language development.
- To detail the implementation and regulation of newborn hearing screening in Germany.
- To discuss assessment methods for hearing loss and relevant etiological factors.
Summary:
- German guidelines regulate screening methods (TEOAE, AABR), rescreening, and follow-up for newborns.
- Permanent childhood hearing impairment, including CMV and hereditary factors, is compared with otitis media with effusion.
- Speech and language development in the first three years are examined, with parent questionnaires aiding early diagnosis of delays.
Impact:
- Facilitates early diagnosis and intervention for hearing and language delays in infants and toddlers.
- Aims to prevent social and psychological problems associated with developmental delays.
- Highlights the importance of systematic screening and audiological follow-up for optimal child development.
Abstract:
This article gives an overview on important aspects of hearing and language development of infants and toddlers. Newborn hearing screening is implemented in Germany for all infants since January 2009. The realization of early postnatal hearing screening is regulated by a publication of the "Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss". It regulates the measurement method (TEOAE or AABR screening) and differs between healthy and sick newborns. It also rules the timetable of rescreening and if it still fails of paedaudiological follow up. The second part refers to objective and subjective assessment of hearing loss and different important issues of permanent childhood hearing impairment are discussed. Especially CMV infection by materno-fetal transmission and hereditary hearing loss is addressed in comparison to otitis media with effusion. Speech and language development in the first three years of live and the corresponding nomenclature is introduced in the last part. Different parent questionnaires are well established in evaluation of early language acquisition. An early diagnosis of language delay is possible and therapeutic measures can be established to prevent further social and psychological problems.
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