[Sensorineural hearing loss in children starting school. Results of a representative hearing screening study].

Audiograms in the 0.5-6 kHz frequency range were taken, using improved audiometric screening methods, in 2032 children, 6-7 years old, who were undergoing their pre-school medical examinations. In 151 children (7.4%), the threshold for hearing was above 20 dB for at least one frequency. Of these, 82 children (4% of the overall sample) had a hearing impairment defined as a difference of > or = 10 dB between at least one frequency (3, 4 or 6 kHz) and the mean value from 1+2 kHz. This was evaluated as a sensorineural hearing loss. Unilateral losses (lateral difference > or = 10 dB) were more common than bilateral losses (2.5% vs 1.6% of the overall sample). These unilateral hearing losses in the high-frequency range are essentially regarded as the result of playing with impulse-noise producing toys, such as toy guns with caps.