By the Oklahoma Newborn Hearing Screening Program
Hearing loss is the most common congenital condition in the United States (US). Each year, an estimated three in 1,000 infants are born in the US with moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss resulting in delayed development in language, learning, and speech. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website, www.aap.org/EHDI, the AAP Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Goals are as follows:
- Ensure every child with hearing loss is diagnosed and receives appropriate, timely intervention.
- Enhance pediatricians’, other physicians’, and non-physician clinicians’ knowledge about the EHDI 1-3-6 guidelines—screening by 1 month of age, diagnosis of hearing loss by 3 months of age, and entry into early intervention (EI) services by 6 months of age.
- Ensure newborn hearing screening results are communicated to all parents and reported in a timely fashion according to state laws, regulations, and guidelines.
- Incorporate EHDI into an integrated, medical home approach to child health.
The AAP has developed several tools and resources that Primary Care Clinicians can use to guide the primary areas of focus for promising practices and processes within EHDI. This article highlights a guideline for reducing Loss to Follow-up/Documentation in Newborn Hearing Screening. This flow chart assists Medical Home providers in determining guidelines for hearing screening follow-up, audiology referrals, as well as discussing an early intervention comprehensive plan or the need for ongoing surveillance/screening. Click here for a copy of the flow chart.
To learn more about the Oklahoma Newborn Hearing Screening Program or gather resources for families please send an email to NewBornScreen@health.ok.gov
