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The author discusses the different problems connected with ENT examination of infants. First of all, the general problems are reviewed (e. g. the consultation rooms in which the infants are examined, the need for close collaboration with paediatricians and immunologists, as well as the necessity of general anaesthesia for a number of examinations). This is followed by a discussion of the various problems connected with age, starting with malformations at birth and methods of examining loss of hearing up to the problems presented by the catarrhal child. Attention is given to the possibilities of endoscopy in childhood. Finally, the author considers the possibilities offered by screenings involving examination of hearing and speech as a means of prevention. From these data it becomes clear that comprehensive ENT examination and care during childhood may solve a number of problems in many patients and should therefore be considered to be important also from a social point of view.

Hearing screening with reactometry in the newborn is now being considered too expensive and fails to detect quite a number of deaf children. Conversely, experiences at the age of 8 months with BOEL-Test (a distraction test, which yields further information on visual and neurological deficiencies) have shown that it becomes possible to detect the majority of hearing defects. As this age level is quite adequate for diagnosis even of defects arising in the first year (progressive genetic deafness, deafness due to infections etc.) and considering that rehabilitation can start only after this term, the authors suggest to reserve neonatal screening only for risk cases and to retest all children with the BOEL-Test.