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Early Hearing Loss Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention Program (EHDDI)
Information
Left undetected, hearing loss in infants can negatively impact speech and
language acquisition, academic achievement, and social and emotional
development. If detected early, however, morbidity can be diminished and
even eliminated through early intervention services. Because of this, the
National Institutes of Health's (NIH)
concluded that all infants should be screened for hearing loss prior to hospital
discharge.
One of the primary goals of the EHDDI program is to ensure that all infants
born in the state of Washington:
- Are screened for hearing loss before hospital discharge or by one
month of age
- Receive diagnostic audiological evaluation by three months
of age
- Are enrolled in early intervention services by six months of
age if needed
This is also known as the 1-3-6 goal.
Current Projects and Events
In March, 2007, the EHDDI Program
presented to the Washington State Board of Health in response to a request
to receive an update on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) in the
State of Washington. The State
Board of Health Report contains detailed information on current hearing
screening rates in Washington State, collaborative efforts to support
voluntary UNHS, status of DOH's system for monitoring, assisting, and
evaluating UNHS programs, and ongoing issues related to UNHS in Washington.
A training program targeting
early intervention providers in Washington was held at the University of
Washington's Pack Forest near Eatonville, Washington in August of 2004.
The purpose of the retreat was to increase the knowledge and skills of early
intervention providers who work with families of children with hearing loss.
The Pack Forest Retreat Report outlines the objectives, tasks, project
concepts, and outcomes.
Resources
Parent Notebook: A resource guide for
parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The guide is available in
English
(PDF, 501 KB),
Spanish
(PDF, 470 KB),
Russian
(PDF, 483 KB), and Somali
(PDF, 575 KB).
Risk Factors for Late Onset Hearing Loss:
Fact Sheets for Health Professionals
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) -
Abbreviated Version (PDF, 86 KB)
NICU -
Detailed Version (PDF, 93KB)
Syndromes -
Abbreviated Version (PDF,
267 KB)
Syndromes -
Detailed Version (PDF,
275 KB)
Family History -
Abbreviated Version (PDF, 84 KB)
Family History -
Detailed Version (PDF, 89 KB)
Craniofacial Anomalies -
Abbreviated Version (PDF, 84 KB)
Craniofacial Anomalies -
Detailed Version (PDF, 81 KB)
Maternal Illness -
Abbreviated Version (PDF, 92 KB)
Maternal Illness -
Detailed Version (PDF, 92 KB)
Risk Factor References (PDF, 104 KB)
NOTE: For a free download of Adobe Acrobat Viewer:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Viewer.htm
DOH has created three best practice protocols to ensure
children and families receive appropriate and timely care in the area of newborn
hearing screening detection, diagnosis, and intervention.
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Protocol for Newborn Hearing Screening: It is recommended
that all infants be screened for hearing loss prior to one month of age.
This protocol was developed by a workgroup comprised of audiologists and
hospital based nursing staff across Washington State. This protocol
also includes guidance set forth by the joint Committee on Infant Hearing
(JCIH), a national organization.
-
Protocol for Diagnostic Audiological Assessment: Follow-up for Newborn
Hearing Screening: It is recommended that infants who are
referred from newborn hearing screening for audiological assessment be
evaluated using standard policies and procedures before 3 months of age.
This protocol was developed by a group consisting of 11 audiologists
practicing in Washington with extensive knowledge and expertise in the
screening and diagnosis of hearing loss in newborns and infants. The
protocol includes guidance set forth by JCIH, a national organization.
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Best Practice Guidelines in Early
Intervention for Children with Hearing Loss: It is
recommended that all infants with a hearing loss be enrolled in early
intervention by six months of age. Studies have shown that children
identified with hearing loss who receive intervention prior to six months of
age often meet or exceed the receptive and expressive language scores of
their hearing peers. This protocol was developed by a workgroup
comprised of parents, early intervention specialists, audiologists, members
of the deaf community, and DOH staff, with extensive knowledge and expertise
in early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Other resources include:
Family Resources
for Children Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Their Families. Provides parents
and healthcare providers with resources in their community, including names and
contact information for Lead Family Resources Coordinators, Children with
Special Healthcare Needs Coordinators, Pediatric Audiologists, Regional Genetics
Clinics, Early Head Start Programs, Medical Home Leadership Networks,
Specialized Services for children deaf or hard of hearing, Service Centers for
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and School Districts serving children aged 0-3.
Outpatient Rescreen
Facility List: Contact information for all hospitals in Washington
able to provide outpatient hearing screens.
Pediatric Audiology
Services Guide. The clinics on this list have indicated they meet the
requirements of DOH's Protocol for Diagnostic Audiological Assessment of Infants
Referred from Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programs.
More EHDDI Links
Partnerships
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center: A website devoted to
universal newborn hearing screening in Washington State. Resources for
parents, healthcare professionals, and hospitals are available for download.
Northwest Lions
Foundation for Sight and Hearing: The Northwest Lions Foundation for
Sight and Hearing helps blind and deaf children and adults in the Northwest
regain their self-reliance, and it champions lifelong sight and hearing health.
Washington Sensory
Disability Services: An Office of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction funded state needs project which provides information, training,
technical assistance, and resources to families and educators statewide
regarding children and youth with sensory disabilities - students who are deaf
or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or deaf-blind.
Washington State
Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics: Promotes the health and
well-being of children in Washington State.
Office of Newborn Screening tests the infants born in Washington State
for certain treatable disorders that may not otherwise be detected before
developmental disability or death occurs.
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