[Importance of auditory "screening" in the school and preschool environment in relation to language disorders]

Having recalled the acoustics spectrum of the human voice and different types of deafness, the author describes alarm signs of various hearing disorders. Bearing in mind the importance of early detection of deafness for optimal speech development, special emphasis is put on the necessity of mass hearing screening in kindergarten and nursing school. However, the diagnosis may be delayed in less severe deafness; medium hearing loss between 35 to 65 dB being scarcely detected before age 5! In this respect teacher's and school health professional's particular attention should bring the child to a specialised diagnostic and therapeutic center where medical or surgical audioprosthetic treatments could be performed before developmental retardation occurs. Two case records are presented.