Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
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Minnesota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program
Closing The Follow-Up Gap: Minnesota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
In 2007, Minnesota Statute section 144.966 mandated the reporting of newborn hearing screening results and added hearing loss to the panel of more than 50 rare conditions for which every newborn in Minnesota is screened unless parents opt-out. This legislation requires:
- All hospitals to screen every newborn for hearing loss and report results to the MDH
- Professionals who conduct diagnostic procedures to confirm hearing loss to report the results to parents, primary care providers, and the MDH
- The MDH to design, implement, and evaluate a system of follow-up and tracking
- The MDH to evaluate program outcomes to increase effectiveness and efficiency and ensure culturally appropriate services for children with a confirmed hearing loss and their families
This same legislation created the Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee. The committee is intended to function in an advisory capacity to the Minnesota Department of Health program managers in Newborn Screening and the Minnesota Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (MCYSHN) subject areas and, ultimately, to the Commissioner of Health. The members are "to advise and assist the Department of Health and the Department of Education in developing protocols and timelines for screening, rescreening, and diagnostic audiological assessment and early medical, audiological, and educational intervention services for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing." This committee is to extend and supplement the range of expertise of MDH's and MDE's technical staff.
MN EHDI Program Goals, Data, and Committee Meetings
- Minnesota EHDI 2015 Annual Report
- MN EHDI Goals, Indicators and Benchmarks
- Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee Operating Procedures
- Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
2023 Committee Meeting Dates:
February 15, 2023 (1-3 PM Virtual)
May 17, 2023 (1-4 PM In Person)
August 16, 2023 (1-4 PM In Person)
November 15, 2023 (1-3 PM Virtual)
Location of Committee Meetings (when in person):
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
451 Lexington Pkwy. N
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Resources
National
2019 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Position Statement
Minnesota
Newborn Hearing Screening Mandate
Guiding Principles of MN EHDI Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee
Guidelines for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in the Well Baby Nursery
Guidelines for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in the NICU
Guidelines for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening for Out-of-Hospital Births
Guidelines for Otolaryngologists
Guidelines for Primary Care and Medical Home Providers
Guidelines for Infant Audiologic Assessment
Audiology Guidelines for Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus (PDF)
Guidelines for Pediatric Amplification
Guidelines for Hearing Screening After the Newborn Period to Kindergarten Age
Screening Resources for After the Newborn Period:
- Hearing Screening Training Manual for use in Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), Early Childhood Screening, Head Start, and school-based programs
- Otoscopy and Tympanometry Manual for use in Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), Early Childhood Screening, Head Start, and school-based programs
Resources
National Institute for Children's Health Quality
A Resource Guide for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, NCHAM EHDI eBook
Newborn Screening Information for Families: Parental Options
Order Free Newborn Screening Education Materials
Submit an order form for EHDI materials (free):
- Beginnings Book - available in English and Spanish
- Parent Roadmap (English, Hmong, Somali, Spanish)
- Transient Follow-up Postcard
Training Opportunities
2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023, Cincinnati, Ohio
10 Years Strong - Minnesota's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention System (YouTube 07:24)
Minnesota Department of Health - EHDI program is a stakeholder in the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind & Hard of Hearing Collaborative Plan. The Collaborative Plan is a network of agencies, schools, and organizations that work together to create positive, systemic changes to achieve better education and career outcomes for students who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. This video is one of five Impact Stories featured by the Collaborative Plan partnership.
Access the Collaborative Plan for Minnesota's System Serving Children who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing: 2019-2024 (PDF). Find the Plan on pages 29-33.

Educate providers about latest clinical recommendations
Identify criteria for personnel who can conduct hearing screenings
Establish State protocols on babies who do not pass UNHS
Develop and maintain a list of providers with knowledge and expertise on EHDI
Improve access to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and FM systems
Assess and monitor State's Part C program in current service delivery and effectiveness related to children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Provide formal feedback to birthing facilities regarding EHDI statistics
Create a formal annual needs assessment for families
Collect and disseminate data gathered by the EHDI Program