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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program
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You can use the following contacts to obtain more information:
Suzanne M. Foley, M.S., Au.D., CCC-A: EHDI Director at SFoley@isdh.in.gov or 317-232-0972.
Stacy Allgeier, Follow up Coordinator, at SAllgeier@isdh.in.gov or 317-233-1264.
Mariana Barquet, EHDI Guide By Your Side Coordinator, at MBarquet@isdh.in.gov or (317) 233.7686.
INDIANA EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention)
Why UNHS (Universal Newborn Hearing Screening)?
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions present at birth, and can have long-lasting effects on a child’s ability to develop speech and language if left undetected. Prior to universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS), the average age of identification of a child with hearing loss was 30 months. In early 2000, universal newborn hearing screenings were mandated by law and since that time, the age of identification of permanent congenital hearing loss has decreased to less than 6 months of age. Research has shown that earlier identification of hearing loss significantly improves speech and language outcomes for these children. Through the dedication and hard work of our birthing facilities, audiologists, physicians and parents, we can continue to ensure that babies are identified with hearing loss at as early an age as possible to maximize their outcomes.
Mission
It is the mission of the Indiana EHDI Program to monitor the newborn hearing screening program newborn hearing screening to the identification of hearing loss and enrollment in early intervention services. We will monitor universal newborn hearing screening procedures at birthing facilities, follow up audiological testing, identification of hearing loss, enrollment in early intervention services and support the medical home for deaf and hard of hearing children in Indiana. Our goals are to maximize outcomes for children identified as deaf or hard of hearing in the state of Indiana. We will provide surveillance on the incidence and prevalence of hearing loss in the statue of Indiana and provide public and professional education about hearing loss throughout the state. We will provide parent to parent support to families with deaf and hard of hearing children for one year after diagnosis through the Guide by Your Side program.
EHDI goals are mandated by state and federal law to include “1-3-6”.
• All infants born in Indiana should receive a newborn hearing screening prior to one month of age;
• All babies who do not pass their newborn hearing screening should receive an audiology
diagnostic assessment before three months of age;
• All infants identified with permanent hearing loss should be enrolled in early intervention before six
months of age;
• Ensure that every infant with a hearing loss has a Medical Home. According to the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP), a medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care that
facilitates partnership between patients, physicians, and families. A medical home should include:
Patient- and family-centered partnership, community based system, transitions and value.
Legal Mandate
Indiana Code 16-41-17-2 states that “…every infant shall be given a physiologic hearing screening examination
at the earliest feasible time for the detection of hearing loss.”
• Under Public Law 91-1999, screening for hearing loss began on July 1, 2000.
• Birthing facilities and hospitals are required to report screening results and referral information to
the EHDI department in the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) each month.
INDIANA EHDI PROGRAM
• The Indiana EHDI Program is housed in the Indiana State Department of Health, under the Genomics
Newborn Screening program of the Maternal and Child Health Department. The program Director is a
state paid position. The rest of program is fully funded from two federal grants: one from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and one from the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA).
• Our staff includes a full time audiology Director, Follow Up coordinator, seven regional audiology
consultants, two parent consultants and an administrative assistant. In addition, we support the
Guide by Your Side program through Indiana Hands and Voices. The Guide by Your Side program
provides ongoing parent support after diagnosis for one year at no charge to the family.
• When a baby does not pass newborn hearing screening, the hospital enters that information within
five days to the EHDI “EARS” database collection system and consequently, Indiana EHDI staff
receives an alert.
• Letters are sent to parents and PCPs regarding the infant’s hearing results and reminds them of the
need for further audiology diagnostic testing.
• Parents of infants who did not pass receive a phone call from an Indiana EHDI Parent Consultant to
answer questions and offer support in the process.
• Infants who did not pass the newborn hearing screening and do not have a documented diagnosis
are followed by the program until one year of age to ensure a diagnosis is achieved.
• When an infant is identified as deaf or hard of hearing, a tool kit is sent to the parents and the
Physician and a referral is made to our early intervention program, First Steps.
• Parents of infants identified as deaf or hard of hearing are contacted by the Guide By Your Side
program. This program offers free and local parent-to-parent support to help guide the family into
early intervention that reflects their choices and desires for their child for one year after diagnosis.
EHDI NEWSLETTER
EHDI Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1
EHDI Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 2
EHDI Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 3
EHDI Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 4
EHDI Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 1
EHDI Newsletter Volume 2 Issue 2
EHDI Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 1
EHDI Newsletter Volume 3 Issue 2
FAMILY RESOURCES
Speech and Hearing Developmental Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Newborn Hearing Screenings
How Hearing Loss is Diagnosed In Infants/Children
Hearing Loss Descriptions
Services for Children with Hearing Loss
Family Resources
Risk Factors For Hearing Loss
Genetics and Hearing Loss
Comprehensive and Limited Audiology Provider Facilities
IDEAL Parent Support for Language Acquisition
IDEAL Language Milestones for English and American Sign Language
IDEAL General Language Development
IDEAL Ensuring Auditory Accessibility
Hospital Resources
Newborn Hearing Screening Brochure Order Form
Regional Audiology Consultant List
Direct Audiology Referral Form
Outpatient screen form
Hospital Manual for Newborn Hearing Screening 2019
Comprehensive and Limited Audiology Provider Facilities
Audiology Resources
Direct Audiology Referral form
Considerations for Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss
Diagnostic Audiology Evaluation (DAE) Form
Indiana's EHDI Diagnostic Guidelines for Audiology
Indiana Family Resource Guide ("The Ready Guide")
Indiana Family Resource Guide ("The Ready Guide") (en español)
Language and Hearing Developmental Milestones (en español)
Comprehensive and Limited Audiology Provider Facilities
Information For Physicians
Comprehensive and Limited Audiology Provider Facilities
Considerations for Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss
Indiana Family Resource Guide ("The Ready Guide")
Indiana Family Resource Guide ("The Ready Guide") (en español)
Language & Hearing Developmental Milestones (en español)
Medical Home Care Management for PCPs
PCP Care Plan
Resources for PCPs
Updates for the Medical Home