Hearing Screening
All birthing hospitals are required to conduct universal newborn hearing screening. All screening results or missed screenings must be reported to the EHDI Program using the following forms according to EHDI-MS Procedures:
- Form 1100: Hospital Newborn Hearing Screening Log
Birthing hospitals must use this form to report the hearing screening results or missed hearing screenings for all live births. - Form 288: Hearing Screening Report
Hospitals must use this form to report the individual hearing screening results for any infant who referred on a final inpatient or outpatient hearing screening, who has risk factors for late onset hearing loss, or who missed a hearing screening for any reason.
Birthing hospitals should provide the following flyers:
- Parent Handout - Newborn Hearing Screening Birthing hospitals should provide this flyer to every family of a baby born in their hospital with the hearing screening results or follow-up appointments for hearing screening or evaluation.
- Primary Care Provider - 1-3-6 Hearing Goals Birthing hospitals, Audiologists, and other health and education providers should provide this flyer to primary care providers who care for an infant who is at risk for late onset hearing loss or does not pass their final hearing screening.
Some birthing hospitals have chosen or are considering using a third party/outsourcing to conduct hearing screenings. Please see the following article for considerations when using or considering working with third party/outsourced hearing screeners.
- Winston-Gerson, R., and Roush, J. (2016). Outsourcing hospital-based newborn hearing screening: Key questions and considerations. JEHDI, 1(1): 21–25.
Hearing Diagnosis
All Audiologists and Otolaryngologists are required to report results of all diagnostic appointments of infants and toddlers from referral from a hearing screening until confirmation, including reports of any missed appointments. In addition, any changes in hearing status must be reported to the EHDI Program using the following form according to EHDI-MS Procedures:
- Form 53: Hearing Diagnostic Report
Hearing diagnostic providers, including Audiologists or Otolaryngologists, must use this form to report the individual hearing diagnostic results for any infant who has a diagnostic evaluation or who missed an appointment for any reason.
Provider Directories
- EHDI - Pediatric Audiology Links to Services (EHDI-PALS)
EHDI-PALS provides a directory of providers of hearing (audiology) services for children from birth to age five. This online directory provides information about the clinical services offered, payment options, languages available, and appointment availability. - Directory of Mississippi Ear, Nose and Throat Physicians
This directory of Otolaryngologists who provide hearing diagnostic evaluations and medical follow-up was compiled by the Mississippi Society of Otolaryngology.
Medical Homes for Children with Hearing Loss
Children with hearing loss should have access to a medical home to ensure they have consistent ongoing primary care that is coordinated with the specialists they need, such as Audiologists and Otolaryngologists. The Medical Home Portal provides vital information for physicians about children with hearing loss and deafness, including information about etiology, diagnosis, specialty care, and resources.
- Plan of Care Template (Coming Soon!)
The EHDI Program is collaborating with the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program to develop a template for a plan of care for children with hearing loss.
For additional details on the importance of appropriate and timely screening, diagnosis, management, and follow-up:
Additional Resources for Health Care Providers
Continuing Education:
- EHDI Learning Center
NCHAM provides e-books, journals, instructional modules, webinars, learning communities, workshops, and more to educate families, health care professionals, and early intervention professionals. - Hear to Learn
This website offers a wealth of information for professionals about hearing loss and management including tutorials on topics for hearing loss management, hearing device management, family wellbeing, listening and language, and development of clinical skills. Tutorials for professionals include:- Counseling Education in Audiology
- Question Prompt List for Audiologists
- Online Learning Community
Free monthly webinar series that cover a variety of topics related to the listening and spoken language development of children with hearing loss.
- Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum
This is a free standardized online curriculum for personnel who conduct newborn hearing screenings and follow-up. The curriculum provides multiple modules with learning activities, resources, and supplemental materials and links. The following continuing education credits are available for completion of the curriculum and obtaining a score of 80% or better on a post-test:- American Academy of Audiology (AAA) - 2 hours (.2 CEUs), beginner level
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) - 2 CE Contact Hours, beginner level
- Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum Certificate (and Re-Certification)
Resources
- BabyHearing.org
BabyHearing.org is an informational website developed by a team of Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Teachers of the Deaf, Geneticists, and Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing at Boys Town National Research Hospital with support from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The following resources are available for health care professionals to use: - Hearing checklist from birth to 3 years
A list of milestones in proper hearing development for babies and toddlers - Just in Time | Justo a Tiempo (Spanish)
This document provides a toolkit of essential resources identified by both families and professionals to address hearing-related needs | GuÍa de recursos de la deficiencia auditiva para familias - National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM)
NCHAM serves as the National Technical Resource Center for the implementation and improvement of comprehensive and effective EHDI systems. The goal of this multidisciplinary center is to ensure that all infants and toddlers with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and provided with timely and appropriate audiological, educational, and medical intervention. Materials and activities described on this website were funded in part by a cooperative agreement (U52MC04391) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. NCHAM staff are responsible for the views and content of material on this website and no endorsement by MCHB/HRSA is implied or expressed. - Newborn Hearing Screening: What to Expect | Evaluasión Auditiva del Recién Nacido: ¿Qué Puedo Esperar?
A brochure that may be offered to families of infants about the universal newborn hearing screening process, including information about hearing, how the screening will be conducted, milestones of language development, and resources on hearing loss in children. [in English and Spanish]
Professional Association and Organizations:
- Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The MS Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a professional membership organization of more than 325 Mississippi pediatricians, both primary care providers and subspecialists. The Chapter provides guidance in matters relating to child advocacy, legislation and policy regarding child health and pediatric practice, and to provide opportunities for continuing education for physicians, nurses, and others. Membership is open to all pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pediatric dentists in Mississippi. - Mississippi Nurses Association (MNA)
MNA is the voice of registered nurses in the state and represents nurses through a number of activities, events, programs, forums, workshops, connections and collaborations. - Mississippi Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
The Mississippi Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery is an association designed to improve patient care through the support of education and research by empowering otolaryngologists in achieving the highest possible standards of professional ability and integrity. We advocate on behalf of our patients and our members. - Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA)
MSHA is the statewide professional organization for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, parents/caregivers, support personnel and students.