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Background and purpose: Dysfunction of the auditory system can lead to communicational problems. The main aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of auditory disorders in 3 to 6-year-old children in Tehran, Iran, in 2012. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 879 subjects (465 females, and 432 males) were selected by random sampling. After filling in the forms of hearing loss awareness by parents and educators, otoscopy (ear examination), immittance test, and pure-tone screening were implemented. Results: Our results showed that there were 12.3% abnormal ear canal anomalies, 21.3% tympanic membrane disorder, 20.4% atypical tympanogram, 27.6% non-acoustic reflex and 13.3% hearing loss consisted of 11.7% conductive hearing loss, 1.2% sensory-neural hearing loss and 0.4% mixed hearing loss. Approximately 13.2% of involved children had a mild to moderate hearing loss and no severe or profound one was observed between them. 244 (27.2%) and 18 (2%) children required intervention and rehabilitation training program, respectively. Parents (2.2%) and educators (0.9%) awareness of hearing loss was in low level. Conclusion: According to the high percentage of children in need of treatment and the impact of hearing disorders on learning in early childhood auditory rehabilitation programs and speech therapy, keep parents and educator’s informed and early periodic auditory screening are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Hearing disorders, screening, children

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