Results of audiometrical screening in Finnish schoolchildren.

The results of pure tone screening in Finnish schoolchildren in the Helsinki University Central Hospital District (Finland) during the years 1978-81 were assessed. 40,824 children were screened at a screening level of 20 dB (HL) (ISO). 11.4% of the children failed the first screening procedure. A control screening in these children was performed at 2- to 4-week intervals. A total of 1563 children did not pass the second screening (3.8% of the whole screened population). 1485 schoolchildren were then referred to an otologist. 32% of the children referred had normal hearing. In total, 2.5% of the population screened really had impaired hearing. The hearing loss was conductive in 41%. Negative middle ear pressure (less than -150 daPa) occurred in 7% of the referred children. In the middle ear cleft, fluid was noticed in 11%. High-frequency losses comprised 25% of the cases referred. Sensorineural hearing impairment affecting speech frequencies was present in 8%. The pure tone screening is considered important, because even slight abnormalities in hearing acuity can reduce the intelligibility of speech message and cause learning problems. Surgically manageable middle ear disorders should be detected. Occasionally, a sensorineural loss was discovered, requiring fitting of a hearing aid.