Since 1994, the German Registry for hearing Loss in Children has registered data of 1500 children and by now can present results concerning the age at diagnosis of permanent hearing loss in children in Germany. The mean age at diagnosis is still very high. There is a strong correlation between age at diagnosis and degree of hearing loss, i.e., severe and profound hearing loss, is diagnosed distinctly earlier than mild and moderate hearing loss. On average, mild hearing loss is diagnosed with 6.2 years, moderate h.l. with 4.4 years, severe hearing loss with 2.5 years and profound hearing loss with 1.9 years. This corresponds with the results of regional German studies. At least regionally, in other European countries the age at diagnosis is known to be distinctly lower. In 36% of the children registered in Germany the delay between first suspicion and diagnosis of permanent hearing loss is 1 year or more.
The results of international investigations on connatally acquired hearing loss are compared with the data of the German Registry on Childhood Hearing Loss (4058 cases). The connatal hearing disorders have shown a notable change in the last years regarding to aetiology and prevalence. In contrast to countries of the third world in developed nations the prevalence of permanent childhood hearing loss has been reduced down to 1 in 1.000 births. The results let assume a prevalence of approximately 1:1.200 births in Germany. For instance the number of rubella embryopathia decreased effectively. In contrast CMV infections and alcohol fetopathia are playing an increasing role. In the patients of the German Registry on Childhood Hearing Loss the percentage of certainly progressive hearing loss is 10.3 within the 4058 children with permanent hearing impairment. Diagnostic procedures first of all for the early diagnosis of CMV but also of toxoplasmosis are considerable because these infections may result in treatable hearing loss. Also consequent hearing tests are demanded in children with alcohol fetopathia.
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