Initiators in processes leading to hearing loss identification in Finnish children.

The objective was to examine processes leading to the diagnosis of hearing loss in children. The subjects were 328 children (hearing loss >30 dB HL) fitted with hearing aids in Helsinki University Central Hospital. The risk factor initiated hearing loss detection in 31%, whereas parental suspicion accounted for 26% and hearing screening at the well-baby clinics for 20% of the subjects. Parents were foremost to suspect hearing loss at the age spoken language normally emerges (1.5-3.4 years). Screening was equally effective irrespective of the severity of hearing loss. Parents with misgivings of hearing impairment in their child should have compliant access to audiological units.