A comparative study of hearing screening procedures.

Three thousand, five hundred and ten children were screened with three pure-tone and two immittance techniques. All children in the study received follow-up audiological and medical examination within 2 days of the screening. Procedures, equipment, personnel, and environmental variables were controlled. The efficiency of the screening procedures is compared and the requirements for cost efficient and effective hearing screening are recommended. Reported is an indication of an optimal range of false positives emanating from a screening program and appropriate validators for auditory screening.