Hearing specialists, such as audiologists and otolaryngologists (ENTs) are essential in determining if a child has a hearing condition. According to the Joint Committees on Infant Hearing’s (JCIH) 2019[KS1] Position Statement, the audiologist completes the initial diagnostic evaluation using a battery of physiological testing procedures and the ENT conducts evaluations for children who do not pass hearing screenings, have middle ear concerns, recurrent ear infections, or other risk factors for congenital or delayed-onset hearing loss. Once a child is diagnosed with a hearing condition, it is important that he/she is seen by their audiologist for management and follow-up care. The audiologist provides parents with information about hearing conditions, communication options, educational options and personal amplification.
The goals for babies born in Arkansas are 1, 3, 6:
- Screen all newborn’s hearing before they leave the hospital;
- Re-test those who do not pass the first screen before 1 month of age;
- Confirm hearing loss by diagnostic audiologic testing before 3 months of age; and
- Enroll infants identified with hearing loss in appropriate early intervention services before 6 months of age.
Rules
Resources
- 2019 JCIH Position Statement
- Audiologist_Toolkit_Letter
- Audiologists’ Guide for Infant Diagnostic Evaluation
- Providers of Follow-Up Infant Hearing Screening
- Diagnostic Providers list
- Non-Permanent Hearing Loss Recommendations
- Key Questions about Hearing Screening
- EHDI PALS
- Arkansas Academy of Audiology (ArAA)
- American Academy of Audiology
- American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
- ASHA Infant Hearing Website
- Information on Health Professional
- Improving Vocabulary Outcomes Resource