Confirm the existence of a hearing loss*
- Assess the integrity of the auditory system in each ear
- Estimate hearing sensitivity across the speech frequency range
- Determine the type of hearing loss
- Establish a baseline for further monitoring
- Provide information needed to initiate amplification-device fitting
Ensure that parents understand the significance of the hearing loss
Evaluate the infant for candidacy for amplification and other sensory devices including assistive technology
Ensure prompt referral to early intervention programs

*A comprehensive assessment should be performed on both ears even if only 1 ear failed the screening test.

Audiological Habilitation:

2015 Parent Hearing Aid Management Survey Results for Minnesota
If the family chooses personal amplification for the infant, hearing-aid selection and fitting should occur within 1 month of initial confirmation of hearing loss even when additional audiological assessment is ongoing
Amplification device selection should be based on a prescriptive procedure that incorporates individual real-ear measures that account for each infant's ear-canal acoustics and hearing loss
Ongoing validation of amplification fitting is mandatory to ensure that the purpose of hearing aids (i.e., development of spoken language, auditory awareness, or other) is being fulfilled by the amplification (2019 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing)
Insurance Coverage for Pediatric Hearing Aids - Minnesota Statute 62Q.675
Hearing Aid Law - 18 Years or Younger
Information about purchasing hearing aids for children (MNCDHH)
Hearing Aid Financial Resources (DHS)
State of Minnesota Pediatric Hearing Device Loaner Program
Hearing Aid Appeals: Information For Parents (if denied insurance coverage) (DHS)

Minnesota EHDI Goals, Indicators, and Benchmarks

Goal: All infants who screen positive will have a diagnostic audiologic evaluation before 3 months of age.

Percentage of infants who had a REFER on final newborn hearing screen and received a comprehensive audiological evaluation by 3 months of age

Annual Percentages:

2016 - 54%
2017 - 48%
2018 - 54%
2019 - 57%

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Goal: All infants with hearing loss will receive appropriate early intervention services before 6 months of age (medical, audiologic, and Early Intervention).

Indicator 3.4: Percentage of infants with bilateral permanent confirmed hearing loss whose parent(s) chose personal amplification and who were fitted with personal amplification within 1 month of diagnosis

Annual Percentages:

2016 - 29%
2017 - 37%
2018 - 23%
2019 - 15%
2020 - 24%

Best Practice Guidelines

Resources

National

2019 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Position Statement

Supplement to the JCIH 2007 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Intervention After Confirmation That a Child Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Roles, Knowledge, and Skills: Audiologists Providing Clinical Services to Infants and Young Children Birth to 5 Years of Age (ASHA)

ASHA Guidelines for Audiologists Providing Informational and Adjustment Counseling to Families of Infants and Young Children With Hearing Loss Birth to 5 Years of Age

American Academy of Audiology Childhood Hearing Screening Guidelines

American Academy of Audiology Assessment of Hearing in Infants and Young Children

Clinical Practice Guideline: Otitis Media with Effusion (Update) 2016

Minnesota

Guidelines for Infant Audiologic Assessment

Audiology Guidelines for Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus (PDF)

Guidelines for Audiologist Referral to Early Intervention, Medical Specialties and Connection to Parent-to-Parent and Family Support

Guidelines for Pediatric Amplification

Tools for Improvement

Strengthen Care Coordination

First steps after identifying a child who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing: A quick guide of Clinical Audiologists (YouTube)

EHDI Information Packet for Clinical Audiologists (MN Low Incidence Projects)

MN EHDI Patient Checklist for Primary Care Providers

Initial Identification of Hearing Loss Checklist

Enhancing Collaboration Between Primary and Subspecialty Care Providers for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Report data to the Minnesota Department of Health:

Partnering with your Doctor The Medical Home Approach: A guide for families of children with special health care needs- Region 4 Midwest Genetics Network Partnering with your Doctor: English Spanish Arabic

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Degree of Hearing Loss

Engage Families as Partners

EHDI Parent Resource Binder features the Parent Roadmap and offers more in depth information about hearing loss. Any child living in Minnesota that is newly identified with a hearing loss will receive a printed copy of this resource binder.

Questions to ask your Audiologist

Decision Guide to Communication Choices

Submit an order form for EHDI Materials