At the front line of diagnosing hearing loss
As an audiologist or an otolaryngologist, you have a wealth of knowledge to share with your fellow providers and families with children that are diagnosed with hearing loss or at risk for developing hearing loss. Your role is to provide timely follow-up screening, perform or refer for necessary diagnostic audiological tests and educate family and team members about hearing loss and audiological support. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Position Statement charges you to “provide comprehensive audiological diagnostic assessment to confirm the existence of the hearing loss, ensure that parents understand the significance of the hearing loss, evaluate the infant for candidacy for amplification and other sensory devices and assistive technology, and ensure prompt referral to early intervention programs.” All of this puts you at the front line of early detection and intervention against hearing loss. Iowa children and families are depending on you for guidance.
Please use the resources to the left to further explore best practices, research articles, potential communication options, laws governing your practice and information available for your patients, along with other state and national resources.
Key resources:
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What is Early ACCESS? (postcard)¿Qué es Early ACCESS? (tarjeta postal)
Thank you for your work. You are a valued member of the Iowa EHDI Team. Together we will support children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.
Learn about EHDI best practices and access tools to help you meet these standards. Also includes current EHDI research articles.
These are materials that you can use to learn more about the importance of early hearing detection and intervention and share with your patients. There is also a newsletter to keep you informed about the happenings at the EHDI program, a parent fact sheet, a family resource guide and much more.
The EHDI database is the primary system through which EHDI program data is collected. If you have a need to access the database, or want to learn more about how to use the database, the information can be found here.
There are a variety of reporting and referral forms that are available for your use, including to Early ACCESS. Another set of forms that is available are the parent refusal documents.
EHDI operates under Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Rules. Those documents can be accessed here.
Additional resources to explore with families:
- Screening
- Diagnosis
- Early Intervention
- Myths vs. Clinical Facts
- Family Support
- Communication Options
- Funding
- State and National Resources
