Hearing loss and treatment in young Down's syndrome children.

Twenty-four home-reared Down's syndrome children aged 9-32 months were assessed by trained audiologists on three separate occasions (summer, autumn and spring 1977-1978). Distraction test procedures were used; all failed to pass the screening test and 80-85% registered as having moderate to profound losses. Seventy-five per cent were categorized as having a conductive loss and some improvements were found over the test sessions as a result of surgical and decongestant treatment. Approximately 50% of the infants had been passed on similar screening procedures by the local health services. The results are discussed in relation to language development and service needs.