Longitudinal study of hearing-disabled children. A follow-up investigation.

A group of 138 hearing-impaired children, 76 boys and 62 girls, at a median age of 13 years, range 7-17 years, born during the period 1970-80, were examined in order to ascertain the incidence of progressive hearing loss, and if presence of progressive hearing loss relates it to specific causes of hearing impairment. After a 5-year interval from the median age of 8-13 years, progression of the hearing loss was demonstrated in 2-6% of the children (depending on the criterion used). No relationship could be established between progressive hearing loss and specific causes of hearing impairment.