Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
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Contact Info
Minnesota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI)
EHDI Program Overview
Children who are deaf and hard of hearing who are identified and provided access to language early (with the goal by six months of age) are more likely to meet language milestones typical of other children their age. The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program at MDH evaluates outcomes and ensures culturally appropriate resources and services are available for children with a confirmed hearing loss and their families. The MDH EHDI Program works towards the established MN EHDI Goals, Indicators and Benchmarks.
Respect for Identities
MDH recognizes that everyone has their own unique identity, and we respect the terms people want to use to identify themselves. People may self-identify as deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, a person with hearing loss, DeafPlus, a person with a hearing difference, DeafDisabled, etc. MDH often uses “deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing,” in an all-inclusive manner. MDH might also use the term “hearing loss” when talking about a medical diagnosis.
Minnesota EHDI Statute
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
- Creation of the Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee
Resources
National
2019 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Position Statement
CDC's Progress in Detecting Infant Hearing Loss
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
2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024, Denver, CO
Partners
Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH)
MDH - EHDI program is a stakeholder in the MNCDHH 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.
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.
10 Years Strong - Minnesota's EHDI System (YouTube 07:24)
This video is one of five Impact Stories featured by the Collaborative Plan partnership.
Advisory Committee
The Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee is intended to function in an advisory capacity to the MDH program managers in Newborn Screening, the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) subject areas and, ultimately, to the Commissioner of Health. Members of the advisory committee include parents of children with hearing loss, advocates with expertise in issues affecting people who are deaf and hard of hearing, health care providers, hospital representatives, and other medical and education experts.
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