Twenty papers from the National Symposium on Deafness in Childhood held in May 1966 cover the fields of otology, audiology, and education of the deaf. An introductory lecture traces the history of deafness in children. The section on diagnosis discusses the testing of hearing in infancy and early childhood, pediatric evaluation, the otologist's responsibility, electrophysiologic evaluation, and psychoeducational evaluation. Five papers on pathology describe sensorineural deafness of genetic origin, acquired viral endolabyrinthitis, the effect of prenatal rubella, congenital deafness of inflammatory origin, and iatrogenic toxic deafness. The section on medical treatment and research includes the genetics of childhood deafness, surgical treatment, auditory lesions resulting from Rh incompatibility, and audiologic tests. The last section, on audiologic and educational treatment and research, discusses recent trends in deaf education, psychoeducational management, learning with visual and audiovisual presentations, and early life deafness. An epilogue on "Hamlet" focusing on King Hamlet's death by poison poured into his ear concludes the book. Each section of the book is followed by a general discussion, and each chapter by a reference list. Photographs, figures, and tables are included; and the program committee and speakers are listed. (GD)