Information for Health Professionals

This section of our website has tools and information about hearing loss for health professionals, including free educational materials to give to patients.

What You Can Do

No Later Than 1 Month of Age

• Ensure hearing screening process is complete for all newborns. Refer to your state protocol.

• Review results & risk factors for late onset or progressive hearing loss with parent/guardian (refer to risk factors page).

• Schedule audiologic diagnostic evaluation for all “Refers” (“Fail”, “Did not pass”).

A repeat hearing screening is recommended before discharge for all infants who are readmitted to a hospital within the first month of life for conditions associated with potential hearing loss.

 
Video: Identifying Hearing Loss in Newborns

No Later Than 3 Months of Age

• Note results of diagnostic audiologic evaluation for babies who do not pass the initial screen or re-screen and discuss results with parents.

• If a diagnosis is confirmed:
  
  
  • Schedule an otolaryngology and ophthalmology exam
  • Offer the family a referral for a genetics consultation
  • Counsel parents about amplification options (hearing aids, cochlear implants) and communication options
  • Provide medical clearance as appropriate
  • Provide medical referrals: as indicated including neurology, developmental pediatrics, cardiology and nephrology
  • Refer to Early Intervention (Part C)

No Later Than 6 Months of Age

• Communicate with the family about ongoing audiology services.

• Ensure child is enrolled in Early Intervention Services (Part C).

• Provide family with information regarding communication options.

• Communicate with the family and other service providers for continuity of care.

For more information, please see the Just in Time: For Pediatric Care Providers booklet. The booklet gives an overview of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program process and information on risk factors, screening, diagnosis, communication choices, and early intervention.

Free Materials for Patients

View, print, and order brochures to give to patients, including:

• Questions You May Want to Ask Your Child’s Audiologist

• Just in Time for Pediatric Primary Care Providers

• Guía para padres sobre la genética y la pérdida auditiva

• And more…

Brochures and Fact Sheets »

Recommendations and Guidelines

Find recommendations and guidelines related to universal newborn hearing screening and early hearing detection and intervention programs.

Recommendations and Guidelines »

Data & Statistics

Find data and statistics related to hearing loss, including prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, and economic costs.

Data & Statistics »

Research

Find a summary of CDC surveillance and research on hearing loss.

Research »

Articles

Read CDC’s latest published scientific articles on hearing loss.

Articles »

EHDI Committees

Please consider sharing your experience with one of these national advisory groups helping shape services for families and professionals.

Conferences & Meetings

Every year, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) National Conference brings together a wide variety of attendees including those who:

• Work in state EHDI programs

• Assist in EHDI efforts on the federal level

• Provide screening, diagnostic and early intervention support at the national, state and local level to young children with hearing loss and their families

• Champion Medical Home activities within each state

• Are parents of children with hearing loss

• Are deaf or hard-of-hearing adults who are helping to expand opportunities for young children with hearing loss

Upcoming Conference – Save the Date!

12th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
April 14 - 16, 2013, Glendale, AZ

11th Annual EHDI Conference St. Louis MO 2012

10th Annual EHDI Conference Atlanta 2011

Past Conferences

Visit the past conference pages to find an overview of the presentations, slide sets, and continuing education units (CEU).

2011 EHDI Conference

2010 EHDI Conference 

2009 EHDI Conference

2008 EHDI Conference

National Workshop on Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss (2005)
 

Teleconferences and Transcripts

These teleconferences are usually held bimonthly on the fourth Thursday of February, April, June, August, October and December unless otherwise announced. The conferences:

• Start at 4:00 PM Eastern
• Serve as a forum to discuss and share EHDI issues, ideas and activities with people working in fields related to newborn screening
• Provide toll-free audio and web access to all participants and free captioning services by request.

State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Contacts

The State and Territorial Profile includes information about all aspects of the EHDI process, such as program structure, screening and referral procedures, tracking and surveillance systems, and educational materials. A key objective of this resource is to assist states and territories in program planning and evaluation, and to inform parents, other government agencies, and providers about EHDI programs across the United States and its territories.

Find the contact information, including websites, for EHDI funded and non-funded states and territories.

Other Resources

Public Health Grand Rounds

• Newborn Screening: Improving Outcomes
• Electronic Health Records: What's in it for Everyone?

CDC Features

• Newborn Screening Can Help Prevent Problems
• What's Your Baby's Hearing Screening Result?