Iowa’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program works to ensure that all newborns and toddlers with hearing differences are identified as early as possible and provided with timely and appropriate audiological, educational and medical services, as well as family support.
Whether you are a parent or a professional, this site is designed to serve as a guide to learn more about newborn hearing screening, diagnosis of hearing loss and resources available to assist children and families in Iowa.
A hearing difference is one of the most common major birth conditions.
95% of babies born with hearing differences are born to parents with typical hearing.
Studies show that children who experience hearing differences can have delays in speech, language, cognitive development (thinking) and social and emotional development.
If identification does not happen until after six months of age, on average the child’s language skills at age 3 will be about half of a child with typical hearing.
Undetected hearing loss is a developmental emergency, but we are here to help by connecting you to the resources to help understand this process and make informed decisions as a parent or provider.
Together, we can ensure that every child receives the care and support they need in a timely manner.
To order free copies of this brochure, contact the Newborn Screening Programs at (833) 436-8040. For the English version, request publication IDPH131; for the Spanish version, IDPH131S; for the French version, IDPH131F.
The EHDI Advisory Committee is composed of a multidisciplinary group from the health care community, including the Iowa Hospital Association, private practice audiologists, pediatricians, family practice physicians, and otolaryngologists. Also represented are members of the deaf community, parents of children with hearing loss, advocates, Early ACCESS (IDEA, Part C), Area Education Agencies, and other stakeholders that are affected by or involved with newborn hearing screening. The committee was designed to build partnerships and advise EHDI staff as we move toward establishing and implementing project goals. The committee has been and continues to be an integral part of our EHDI program.
The EHDI Advisory Committee typically meets in April, July and October from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at a location in Des Moines. For the next scheduled meeting date, time, and location please contact EHDI at (833) 436-8040. Accommodations available upon request.
At the Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, we work to ensure that all newborns and toddlers with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and provided with appropriate audiological, educational and medical intervention.
We also support families of children with hearing loss so that they are equipped with necessary information and resources. W
e are dedicated to a lifelong care model, providing unbiased support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The work we do is driven by the national EHDI goals (outlined below) that aim to advance EHDI systems of care.
List items for EHDI Goals
Goal 1. All newborns will be screened for hearing loss before 1 month of age, preferably before hospital discharge.
Goal 2. All infants who screen positive will have a diagnostic audiologic evaluation before 3 months of age.
Goal 3. All infants identified with hearing loss will receive appropriate early intervention services before 6 months of age (medical, audiologic, and early intervention).
Goal 4. All infants and children with late onset or progressive hearing loss will be identified at the earliest possible time.
Goal 5. All infants with hearing loss will have a medical home as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Goal 6. Every state will have an EHDI tracking and surveillance system that minimizes loss to follow-up.
Goal 7. Every state will have a system that monitors and evaluates the progress towards the EHDI goals and objectives.
Iowa legislature passed a law (Iowa Code section 135.131) which requires universal hearing screening of all newborns and infants in Iowa. The law further provides that any birthing hospital, birth center, or facility, including Area Education Agencies (AEAs), as well as providers, such as physicians, audiologists or other health care professional are legally required to report the results of a hearing screen, re-screen or diagnostic assessment for any child under three years of age to Iowa HHS.
The EHDI program staff assists families and providers in implementation of this law and captures information in order to increase timely referral and enrollment into early intervention, as needed. Together, we can support children in Iowa so that they may achieve the best possible outcomes.
Due to the serious ramifications of undetected hearing loss, Iowa legislature passed a law which requires universal hearing screening of all newborns and infants in Iowa. It further provides that any birthing facility, including Area Education Agencies (AEAs), as well as providers, such as physicians, audiologists or other health care professionals are legally required to report the results of a hearing screen, re-screen or diagnostic assessment for any child under three years of age to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services within six business days.
Read below to learn more about your role in the law and the administrative structure required for this program to work within your facility.
