Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Resources for Families
Families as partners in the EHDI system
The resources included on this page are intended for Minnesota parents, families, and caregivers as they navigate newborn hearing screening, the follow-up process, and planning to support a child who is identified as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH).
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Newborn Screening Information for Families
Basic information for families about newborn screening testing, options, results, and frequently asked questions.
Resources for families to connect with local healthcare and education providers.
Information for families to make a care plan after identification.
Your baby's first hearing screening
Newborn Hearing Screening Fact Sheet - English (PDF)
A fact sheet on the basics of newborn hearing screening. Families can use this when discussing newborn hearing screening with their child's health care provider.
- Newborn Screening Information for Families: Parental Options
Myths vs. Clinical Facts of Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Diagnosis (PDF)
An MDH resource about hearing screening and the importance of early diagnosis.
Your Baby’s Hearing Screening and Next Steps
The National Institutes of Health has a website dedicated to deafness and other communication disorders. This page contains answers to frequently asked questions regarding hearing screening.
Infants in Minnesota receive a newborn hearing screening because language begins to develop at birth, and babies are often using their first words by about one year of age. The sooner hearing loss is identified, the sooner children who are deaf and hard of hearing can receive help and begin developing critical language skills.
If you do not know your child’s newborn hearing screening results, contact your child’s primary care provider.
If your baby received a REFER/DID NOT PASS result on their hearing screening, this does not necessarily mean that your baby has hearing loss, but it does mean that your baby needs more testing to know for sure.
If your baby received a PASS result, know that there can be changes in hearing at any time throughout childhood. If you think your child is not hearing well in the future, contact your clinic or primary care provider.
- Hearing PASS Result (English) (PDF)
Your Baby’s Hearing: It’s Important to Test Again (PDF)
A fact sheet from MDH that intends to answer common questions after a “refer” or “did not pass” result on an infant’s newborn hearing screen.
Preparing for Your Baby’s Audiology Appointment (PDF)
A fact sheet from MDH on how to prepare for your child’s audiology appointment.
What do I need to know if my child is identified with hearing loss?
Learning your child is deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) may come with a variety of emotions and questions. The resources available below are meant to provide information to the parents, families and caregivers of infants and children who are DHH.
MDH mails a binder of resources to families in Minnesota with children recently identified as DHH. This page provides most of the resources in electronic form. Resources that are only available in print are not included in this list.
Hearing Loss in One Ear: Information for Families and Caregivers (PDF)
When someone has a hearing difference in one ear, it is called unilateral hearing loss. This brochure has information and resources for parents/caregivers of a child with unilateral hearing loss.
- What is "Early Intervention?"
Connects families to resources that help young children develop, learn and grow, as well as connects families with early intervention through their local school district. Families can self-refer or providers can make a referral to early intervention for a child through Help Me Grow, which automatically notifies the family’s local school district.
A navigator connecting families with children (birth to 8 years old) to services in their local communities that support health development and well-being.
This interactive webpage explores resources to support the early intervention journey for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Document to guide conversations between families and their Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to address a child’s communication needs.
Schools and Programs Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
A list of educational options compiled by DHS that explains types of programs and lists Minnesota schools and programs by geographic region.
Hands & Voices
Hands & Voices provides information, support, and referral to families at any point in their journey with their child who is DHH, but especially for those families just starting on their path. Minnesota Hands & Voices provides parent to parent support, connects families with other families and with deaf and hard of hearing adult role models/guides.
Resources and information for families of children and youth who have a combined hearing and vision loss, birth up to age 22.
A system of support for families so that deaf, hard of hearing, deaf blind, deaf disabled, and Deaf plus children can thrive.
A Minnesota-based non-profit providing support and information for Minnesota families raising children with disabilities and extra needs.
Before an infant can communicate, they watch, listen, and learn the sounds of different words and other crucial aspects of speech and language. Families have many choices about language and communication for their young children, and these resources are specifically developed for families on their communication journey.
Exploring Communication Opportunities
Overviews of the many different communication opportunities available to families and children who are DHH.
Windows of Opportunity - English (PDF)
A resource from MDH on the importance of communication.
The Deaf Mentor Family Program is offered to families with a child who is DHH. Deaf Mentors are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and during visits, families learn ASL and other communication techniques unique to DHH children.
An interactive resource in English and Spanish (Español), for parents and professionals to support spoken language development.
Free online ASL classes for parents of children under 3 years old.
Learn to Cue Online. Cued speech combines simple hand cues with natural mouth movements of speech to make all sounds of spoken language visually clear.
Regular follow-up with audiology is important to monitor a child’s hearing levels and detect any hearing changes early. Amplification, including hearing devices, wireless accessories, cochlear implants or other assistive devices, may be options.
MN Pediatric Hearing Device Loaner Program
A program that provides loaner hearing devices to children (age 0 to 18) in Minnesota.
Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Find information about fitting process, insurance appeals, financial support.
About Hearing Loss
Information about how hearing is measured and prevalence of childhood hearing loss in Minnesota.
Genetics of Hearing Loss (PDF)
A fact sheet from MDH about why you may wish to do genetic testing after learning your child is DHH.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
Resources for parents, family members and students who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.
The PACER Center enhances the quality of life and expands opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities and their families, so each person can reach their highest potential.
This website was developed by Boys Town National Research Hospital as a resource for families from before hearing screening to after diagnosis.
Resources and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on hearing loss.