Retrospective study of the prevalence of bilateral sensorineural deafness in childhood.

This retrospective study was undertaken to estimate the causes of severe sensorineural deafness (greater than 40 dB HL) in children. The children were identified from case notes of all referrals made to the Children's Hearing Assessment Centre during a 5-year period (from 1st January 1981 to 31st December 1985). Results were tabulated and conclusions drawn following a literature search. It was deduced that following better antenatal screening, a more active immunisation program and improvements in resuscitation of small preterm infants, there was a shift of cases from prenatal to perinatal causes. The proportion of cases of severe sensorineural deafness was much the same as in previous studies.