[Early detection of hearing disorders. 10 years experience with screening more than 8,000 infants]

Prevention and early detection of deficits of the developing human being demand more and more complex solutions. Screening programmes have been developed to detect deficits and diseases before they cause symptoms. A well-organised and accurately performed screening programme can detect preliminary signs of diseases and may prevent irreversible damage. Early detection of deficits only makes sense if it is followed by consequences. Not only early detection of impairment or of children which are threatened by impairment is a very important medical task, but also the interdisciplinary cooperation in therapy. The most serious impact of hearing deficits in newborn is on the lack of speech-acquisition. It is an indisputable fact that the early detection of hearing impairment in newborn markedly improves the prognosis for further language development if early medical and/or rehabilitative therapy takes place. The following description of 10 years of experience with a newborn hearing screening programme that is effected in cooperation with the maternity ward and the ENT-clinic since 1981, can supply further arguments in favour of the need for early detection, the discussion on reflex audiometry, and to emphasise the need for cooperation of all relevant specialists.