Screening of hearing disorders in schoolchildren

A program of screening hearing in schoolchildren based in part on the teacher's observations of behavioral, language, and learning problems has been initiated. Every child identified as suffering from “school pathology” is referred to the school nurse, who arranges for otolaryngologic evaluation, including a complete otologic examination and audiologic assessment with determination of pure-tone air and bone conduction thresholds. Of the 265 children identified as having “school pathology”, 93, or 35 per cent, had audiographic abnormalities, and 120, or 45 per cent, had disease processes requiring otolaryngologic management.