[Examination of 1,300 children for incidence and therapy of hearing disorders in pediatric speech disorders].

This study presents the results on 1305 children with speech disorders. The examination includes ENT-inspection, audiometry, speech-evaluations and if required, psychological tests. In 48% we found hearing losses, most frequently in the age up to four years. In 95% hearing losses were fluctuating about 20 decibels, caused by malfunction of the tube or by adenoids, not even in autumn and winter, but also all the year. In this case, fluctuating hearing function reduces the total hearing input over the year. In only 5% we found cochlear hearing loss. In hearing impaired children speech development was significantly more depressed in all dimensions in comparison to normal hearing children. This study does impressive demonstrate the necessity of follow-up microscopic evaluations of the tympanic membrane and audiometry as well as the consequence operative therapy including adenoidectomy and insertion of ventilation tubes. With this concept, only 37% of the children required speech therapy.