Self-checking of hearing during health examination of children

Abstract

In the present study, we monitored the implementation of self-checking of hearing by parents during health examination of children 3 years and one and a half years of age. Only 22% of the 289 children who were 3 years old and 15% of the 309 children who were one and a half years old could be properly examined. Then, a speech therapist conducted a screening test for hearing, and 15 children with abnormalities required further testing. An otolaryngologist diagnosed hearing loss or delay in language development in 9 children, 7 of whom had passed a self-checking of hearing by parents. This finding indicates that self-checking of hearing by parents of children is of limited accuracy, and that a screening test for hearing test by a speech therapist or otolaryngologist is needed during health examination of children.