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Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program

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Annual EHDI Conference

Spotlight: 2007 JCIH Statement

 EHDI & CDC Overview

 Annual EHDI Conference

 2007 JCIH Statement

Information about CDC's EHDI program

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2009 Conference
March 9-10, 2009
InterContinental Dallas Hotel, Addison, Texas 
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2007 JCIH Statement now available
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“If your baby was screened for hearing loss and failed, now that you are home, your inclination may be to just let it go, and wait. Please don’t. Go back for the second screening, and if advised, on to a formal assessment with an audiologist. If there is something wrong with your baby’s hearing, NOW is the time to find out.”

- Quote from a parent of a child with hearing loss

  E Block  EHDI Basics
  • Each year in the United States (U.S.), more than 12,000 babies are born with a hearing loss. The cause of hearing loss for many babies is not known, and hearing loss can go unnoticed for years.
     
  • Studies have shown that children who have a hearing loss can have delays in speech, language, social skills, and academic achievement. This is why all babies need a hearing screening, which helps find children who may have a hearing loss.
     
  • Most babies have a hearing screening soon after birth, usually before they leave the hospital. This is often called Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). That means everybody is screened.
     
  • When a child’s hearing loss is identified soon after birth, the child’s family and doctors can make sure the child gets services (e.g., intervention) he or she needs at an early age. This will help the child develop communication and language skills that will last a lifetime.
     
  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs are set up by U.S. states and territories to help make sure that infants and children with hearing loss are found and receive help (e.g., intervention) as soon as possible.
     
  • UNHS is the first step in the EHDI process; other important steps are audiological evaluation to confirm a hearing loss, and early intervention services.

The EHDI program at CDC supports states and territories in developing and implementing EHDI tracking and surveillance systems. These systems help state EHDI programs make sure that babies get the hearing screening, follow-up, and early intervention services they need.

To learn more about EHDI please click here.

 

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Date: November 29, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

 

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Topic Contents
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Quick Links
FAQ's About Hearing Loss
State & Territory EHDI Contacts
Mild & Unilateral
2006 EHDI Data
Abbreviations & Acronyms
Contact Us
 
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Key Resources
Click here for new Educational Materials
 
click here to go to EHDI Pubs Search

A Parent's Guide to Hearing Loss
Available online

 

Contact Info

Thank you for visiting the CDC-NCBDDD Web site. Click here to contact the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

We are not able to answer personal medical questions. Please see your health care provider concerning appropriate care, treatment, or other medical advice.
 

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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
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