National EHDI Goals |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Annual EHDI Data
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EHDI (Early Hearing Detection
and Intervention) programs are located in
states and territories
and are designed to identify infants with hearing loss.
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Infants identified with hearing
loss can then be enrolled in an early intervention program.
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Early intervention programs are
designed to help infants and children develop communication
skills needed to do well academically and socially.
Communication skills can be learned through visual language,
spoken language, or both.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) EHDI
program:
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Collaborates with federal, national, and state
agencies and organizations in assisting states and territories to
develop and implement EHDI programs.
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Assists states in building EHDI data and
surveillance systems to improve their capacity to ensure that all
infants are screened for hearing loss and receive appropriate
follow-up services.
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Supports research efforts to:
- Identify causes of hearing loss
- Determine developmental outcomes and family issues
- Collect Information on referral rates from EHDI programs
- Assess the effectiveness and cost of EHDI programs
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Uses information gained through the EHDI
surveillance systems to find new, preventable causes of hearing loss.
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Maintains an information clearinghouse on issues
related to EHDI that will be available through the CDC EHDI web site
and
bi-monthly teleconferences.
To ensure that all
newborns have the opportunity to communicate from birth, the CDC's EHDI
program is a part of continuing national efforts to promote:
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The early
detection of hearing loss.
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The
tracking of infants/children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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The
initiation of effective intervention systems.
Find out more about the history of newborn screening
EHDI programs:
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Are implemented at the
state level with collaboration and support from federal, state, and
private organizations, and
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Identify up to 3 infants
per 1,000 births with moderate to profound bilateral hearing loss.
EHDI
programs are characterized by three main components:
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Screening (the initial
test of infants for hearing loss)
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Audiologic evaluation
(to confirm hearing loss)
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Early intervention
(including medical treatment, early intervention services and family
support) to enhance communication, thinking, and behavioral skills
needed to achieve academic and social success.
Parents Please Remember:
If hearing loss is not identified until 2 or 3 years
of age, your child may experience delays in speech, language, and
cognitive development.
Do you have questions about the
screening process?
Email us:
ehdi@cdc.gov
OR
Visit our contact us
web page to receive more information on EHDI and the National Center on
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
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Date:
April 28, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities