The goal of Early Hearing-loss Detection, Diagnosis and Intervention (EHDDI) is to maximize language and cognitive development for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. National recommendations to achieve this are to ensure infants are:

Screened for hearing loss before hospital discharge or by one month of age
Evaluated by an audiologist by three months of age (if baby didn't pass two newborn hearing screens)
Enrolled in early intervention services by six months of age (if a hearing loss was found)

Screening

Diagnosis

Intervention

Resources by County

Training Opportunities

Screening by One Month

Out-Patient Screening Facilities - Contact information of hospitals in Washington that offer hearing screening for infants
Basic Steps and Equipment Checklist for Newborn Hearing Screening

ABR Testing (Auditory Brainstem Response)

OAE Testing (Otoacoustic Emissions)

Newborn Hearing Screening Parent Brochure

Available in English

Risk Factors for Late-Onset Hearing Loss (See Fact Sheets, listed below)
The following fact sheets describe risk factors associated with congenital or delayed-onset hearing loss. Infants who are identified as having one of these risk factors should be monitored even if they pass their newborn hearing screen. The recommendation established by the 2007 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing is that these infants have an audiologic assessment by a pediatric audiologist at least once by 24 to 30 months of age.

Detailed Fact Sheet

Abbreviated Fact Sheet

Best Practices Protocol for Newborn Hearing Screening

Diagnosis by Three Months

Pediatric Audiology Services Guide - Contact information of pediatric audiology clinics in Washington
Parent Brochure for Referral to Audiology

Available in English, Spanish, and Russian

Care Plan for Infants with Hearing Loss
Resource Guide for Families of Children with Hearing Loss

English

Spanish

Russian

Somali

Best Practices Protocol for Audiologic Evaluation of Newborns

Intervention by Six Months

Care Plan for Infants with Hearing Loss
Resource Guide for Families of Children with Hearing Loss

English

Spanish

Russian

Somali

Best Practices Protocol for Early Intervention

County Resources

County Resource Guides - Provides parents and healthcare providers with resources in their county

County Profiles - County specific statistics and resources (2006)

Training Opportunities

Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum
This curriculum was developed by the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) as an educational resource for hospital screeners. It is an excellent resource that covers many aspects of newborn hearing screening and follow-up. You can watch the curriculum online as a streaming video or order a DVD for your facility.
Seattle Children's Hospital Newborn Hearing Screening Program
Seattle Children's Newborn Hearing Screening Program provides information on Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) and how to maintain a successful hospital UNHS program. An audiologist at Seattle Children's maintains their website and can consult by phone or visit hospitals that would like assistance with their UNHS programs. If you are a hospital in Washington State and would like advice on newborn hearing screening equipment or practices, please contact Seattle Children's Hospital at: unhs@seattlechildrens.org.

Diagnostics and Amplification for Infants and Toddlers
Arizona School of Health Sciences and NCHAM offer a training program for audiologists to enhance their knowledge and skills in the assessment of infants for hearing loss and strategies to ensure appropriate intervention services. The training combines six weeks of online preparation and then four days of intensive on-site instruction in Mesa, Arizona, which emphasizes clinical procedures and hands-on experience.

Childhood Hearing: A Sound Foundation in the Medical Home
This is an online CME training opportunity for pediatricians and health care professionals who see infants and children. The purpose of the training module is to educate providers on newborn hearing screening and early detection and intervention services for infants with hearing loss. Providers learn the importance of the medical home in the management, referral, and family support of children with hearing loss.

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Last Update : 09/24/2009 08:19 AM