Early identification and intervention for children who are hearing impaired.

Early identification of and intervention for all children who have hearing impairments remain unattained goals in the United States. Physicians typically are the first persons to obtain the medical and family history of infants and children and are the primary professionals confronted with parental concerns about hearing loss. Heightened awareness of the common causes of hearing loss in infants and children can facilitate prompt and appropriate referrals to audiologists when hearing loss is suspected. A strong and interactive relationship between physician and audiologist is needed to attain the common goals of providing the earliest and best possible diagnosis of and optimal management for hearing impaired pediatric patients.