National EHDI Goals 2, EHDI, NCBDDD, CDC

Program Objectives

Performance Indicators

2.1 Audiologic evaluation. Audiologists will administer a comprehensive audiologic evaluation to all infants who screen positive for hearing loss before 3 months of age to confirm infant/child hearing loss, including type, configuration, and degree.

a. Number and percent of infants who screened positive and received a comprehensive audiologic evaluation before 3 months of age.

b. Number and percent of infants with bilateral or unilateral hearing loss.

c. Number and percent of infants with permanent conductive, sensorineural, or auditory dys-synchronus hearing loss.

d. Number and percent of infants with mild, moderate, severe, moderately-severe, or profound hearing loss.

e. Number and percent of infants referred for audiologic evaluation who were lost to follow-up.

f. Number and percent of infants at risk of developing late onset hearing loss who were lost to follow-up.

g. Number and percent of infants referred for audiologic evaluations who were not screened for hearing loss.

2.2 Evaluation protocols. Each state will develop and make accessible protocols and guidelines for appropriate diagnostic audiologic evaluation and recommendations for management (e.g., amplification, rehabilitation). These guidelines will be developed with input from state and local audiologists and based on current national guidelines.

a. Documented list of acceptable measures to be included in the test battery for the identification of hearing loss and minimum frequency of evaluation to monitor the hearing sensitivity of all infants and children identified with hearing loss and all infants and children identified at risk for late onset, progressive, or acquired hearing loss.

b. Copy of diagnostic management (e.g. amplification, rehabilitation) protocol that is based on current national guidelines (JCIH, ASHA, AAA).

c. Documentation of availability of protocols for audiologists in a variety of formats.

2.3 List of diagnostic audiologic providers. Each state will maintain a current resource list of diagnostic centers and/or pediatric audiologists who have experience and expertise in administering diagnostic audiologic evaluations for infants, according to the protocol and guidelines.

a. List of diagnostic centers and audiologists that have experience or expertise in conducting pediatric audiologic assessments.

b. Number of centers and audiologists that have appropriate equipment for diagnostic evaluation of infants.

c. Number of hospitals or referral personnel that maintain a list of diagnostic centers or audiologists.

2.4 Linkage to appropriate follow-up. Each state will identify a linkage system to ensure that families of infants identified with hearing loss will have appropriate referral to medical, audiologic, and intervention services, according to state resources.

a. Number and percent of infants identified with hearing loss referred to medical specialists, such as otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, and geneticists.

b. Number and percent of infants with hearing loss who are referred to early intervention services, including counseling and support services.

c. Number and percent of infants with hearing loss who are referred to ongoing audiologic evaluations and services.

2.5 Education and training for audiologists. Each state will develop an education/ training plan for audiologists to ensure competency in pediatric evaluation, management, and family counseling.

a. Documented training plan for audiologists.

b. Number of audiologists trained.

2.6 Education and Training for other providers. Each state will develop an education and training plan for primary care providers, public health nurses, and others on the importance and process of audiologic evaluation.

a. Documented training plan for other providers.

b. Number of professionals trained.

2.7 Information on the audiologic evaluation process. Parents and guardians will be informed in a culturally sensitive and language-appropriate manner about the diagnostic audiologic evaluation process and report.

a. Documentation of language-appropriate materials and interpreter services to describe audiologic services and reports.

b. Documented plans for disseminating materials.

c. Number of materials distributed.