15th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 13-15, 2016 • San Diego, CA

Presenter Information

Abstract Guidelines

Abstract submission for the 2016 EHDI Annual Meeting is now closed.

View Presenter Packet - Important information regarding presenter requirements and tips for preparing presentations.

View Accessibility Guidelines - The 2016 EHDI Annual Meeting Planning Committee has developed a checklist to help meet written guidelines that are intended to maximize access for all EHDI Meeting participants.

Abstract Notification
Contributors will be notified about whether the abstract has been accepted on or about November 20, 2015. (If you have not received notification by November 20, please contact ehdiconference@usu.edu)

View Sample Abstract

Presentation Formats
Abstracts for the 2016 EHDI Meeting will be considered for either a breakout presentation or for a poster session. As part of the online submission process you may indicate your preference for your abstract to be considered for:

1. A breakout presentation only
2. A poster session only
3. Either a breakout presentation or poster session

* If you choose "presentation" and your abstract is not selected for presentation, the planning committee may request that you present as a poster, however you can choose to decline this request.

Tracks
Abstracts for presentations or posters can be submitted in one of the following ten program tracks. All presenters are encouraged to include information in the abstract that demonstrates collaboration among EHDI stakeholders. The tracks (along with a few illustrative ideas for each track which are not meant to be limiting) are listed below.

1. EHDI Program Enhancement (e.g., efforts to improve any component of an EHDI program, systems change initiatives, protocol improvement, extending EHDI to other populations)
2. Audiological Services (e.g., improving diagnostic protocols, fitting and management of hearing aids, cochlear implants, or FM systems, improving access to hearing technology, counseling families following audiological diagnosis, tele-audiology)
3. Language Acquisition & Development (e.g., helping early intervention specialists, parents, and others understand the language development process, understand the impact of early language development on achieving school-readiness and social/emotional well being; research on evaluation and intervention driven by language assessment; giving families tools and strategies to evaluate and maximize language acquisition/development on an ongoing basis)
4. Early Intervention (e.g., improving educational programs for 0-5 year olds, coordination and communication among early intervention and EHDI programs, transition between programs, the role of non-Part C services, providing culturally competent services, evaluation and intervention in regards to speech/language assessments, tele-intervention)
5. Medical Home (e.g., providing family-centered health care within a community-based system, coordinating care between primary care providers, specialists, subspecialists, and other health care professionals, delivering health care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, compassionate, culturally effective and efficient for all involved, screening during well-child care)
6. Follow-up, Tracking and Data Management (e.g., strategies for improving loss to follow-up, innovative tracking systems, using tracking information for quality improvement)
7. Family Perspectives and Support (e.g., what do families like and dislike about EHDI programs, how parents can be involved efficiently in program administration, implementing effective parent support programs, parent education, how to inform families of the full range of communication options and choices, overcoming barriers to language acquisition)
8. EHDI Workforce Issues (e.g., pre-service and in-service education for EHDI providers, workforce shortages and how to reduce them, strategies to address knowledge gaps)
9. Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement (e.g., efforts to assess quality of services or data, quality improvement efforts, results of statewide program evaluations, reporting to funders and administrators, strategies for assuring quality)
10. Policy, Advocacy and Legislative Issues (e.g., mandates for insurance coverage for hearing aids, securing funding for program improvement, public awareness campaigns, state legislative or advocacy efforts)

Abstracts that are considered to be a commercial product endorsement in the opinion of the EHDI Program Committee will not be accepted. All abstracts must be in English. Presenters must register for the EHDI Meeting.

Abstract Review and Scoring
The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Annual Meeting strives to provide key stakeholders an opportunity to identify areas of concern, promote collaboration, and share best practices. EHDI Meeting participants range from state and local programs to the federal level and from academicians to families.

The Meeting goals are to enhance the implementation of comprehensive state-based EHDI programs and improve EHDI services. This includes current research and research methods related to EHDI, cultural competence of providers and assessment of their abilities to work with children who have hearing loss, their families and communities and enhancing and creating new and ongoing working relationships.

Abstract submissions will be reviewed and scored according to the following criteria by a committee appointed by the EHDI Meeting Planning Committee.

1. Relevance and significance to the early identification of hearing loss and early intervention services for infants and young children with hearing loss and their families. [1 - 20 points]
   • The abstract should address a current topic and information appropriate for the purposes of the Meeting goals.
   • The abstract should address important issues or gaps related to improving state-based EHDI services.
   • The abstract should inform, enable, or update others in improving EHDI services regarding potential issues related to clinical practice, education of professionals/families, or future research.
   • The abstract should have the potential to advance the practice/knowledge base of EHDI.
   • The abstract should expand the discussion or perspective to build on existing knowledge or address new knowledge, discoveries, methodologies, tools, technologies, or practices.
2. Overall clarity [1 – 10 points]
• The abstract should be well written and organized in a coherent manner.
• The amount of information to be presented should be appropriate for the proposed session length and format.
• The abstract should clearly describe the presentation’s goals and learner outcomes.
• The abstract should provide prospective participants enough information to determine if the session will meet their needs.
• If research results are included, they should be clearly described and supported by statistical findings with the conclusions supported by the results.

Submission Agreement
Abstract submitters agree to the following terms related to the presentations/posters and their use by the EHDI Program Committee:

• Understand that acceptance of the presentation/poster does not include payment or reimbursement for travel expenses to attend the meeting, including the registration fee. You must pay for your own travel and registration.
• Agree to present this presentation/poster on the date, time, and track assigned by the EHDI Program Committee during March 13-15, 2016.
• Understand that for breakout presentations only the following audio/visual equipment will be provided: Computer, LCD projector, screen, podium and microphone, internet connection and audio link.
• Unless contrary notification is given to the EHDI Program Committee by December 4, 2015, grant all of the necessary rights to record each presentation/poster in any audio and/or video formats, use each presentation/poster in printed, digital or electronic form, and make it available online following the meeting. Except as noted above, when Power Points are used as a part of the presentation, they will be posted on the Meeting web site as protected Portable Document Format (PDF) so the material cannot be altered.
• Agree to upload an electronic copy of Topical (breakout) or Poster session PowerPoint™ presentations to the EHDI meeting website prior to February 26, 2016
• Understand and agree that the EHDI Program Committee need only notify the abstract submitter of the acceptance for the terms stated herein to be binding.
• Understand and agree that presentations and posters may be recorded, transcribed and or videotaped for the purpose of being used and distributed in various formats by the EHDI-PC. The EHDI-PC has permission and is authorized to videotape, audiotape, photograph, record, edit or otherwise reproduce my presentation/poster and to use it in formats and purposes stated.