German registry for hearing loss in children: results after 4 years.

Since April 1996 the German Registry for Hearing Loss in Children has been collecting and recording various data on permanent hearing loss in children. Up to now, the data of 3882 children have been gathered nation-wide. A particularly remarkable aspect of data so far collected is the alarmingly high age at the time of diagnosis (mild hearing loss is on average only diagnosed at 6; 2 years, moderate loss at 4; 4 years, severe at 2; 5 years and profound with 1; 9 years). The German Registry for Hearing Loss in Children provides the first reliable source of epidemiological data on permanent hearing loss in children in Germany. A constantly growing number of currently 112 co-operating partners takes part in the data acquisition. The periodical reports of results to the co-operating partners and the first publications have heightened the awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and therapy. A minimum standard for patient history was established by the primary examination report. Thus, an important contribution has been made to the prevention of avoidable secondary damage.