Screening for hearing impairment in early childhood.

Hearing screening for early detection of deafness in children was carried out in the Jerusalem area during 5 years (1967-1972). Approximately 27,000 infants 5-7 months old, representing 85% of the children population at this age, were screened in baby clinics and a selective 'at risk' register was applied to them. Testing hearing in baby clinics was easy to implement and economical but not infallible. About 50% of the 43 hearing-impaired children were identified during the 1st year of their life at an audiology center. A careful and efficient screening and follow-up could identify 70% of the deaf children. We recommend to apply the hearing screening and selective 'at risk' register to children 7-10 months old. It is suggested to expand hearing screening to 2- to 3-year-old children.