2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
Perspectives of Key Personnel and Actualization of Practices: A View from the EHDI System of Georgia
Newborn hearing screening is the first step in the early detection and intervention process. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) positively impacts outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Outcomes, including communication and linguistic competence, are optimal when the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) benchmarks are met. These benchmarks include hearing screening by 1-month, diagnosis of hearing loss by 3-months, and entry into early intervention by 6-months of age. Like many states, Georgia passed legislation in the 1990s (1999) mandating universal newborn hearing screening. By 2002, Georgia’s goal was to screen at least 95% of all newborns. Today, Georgia consistently meets the 95% goal for the initial birth screen. However, many of Georgia’s 18 Health Districts fall short of meeting benchmarks beyond the initial screen (i.e., outpatient screens, rescreens, diagnostic testing). As a result, newborns are lost to follow-up or to documentation.
The current investigation set out to identify factors that contributed to the successes and challenges within the EHDI system of Georgia. To this end, a survey was developed and distributed to key personnel within Georgia’s EHDI system. Survey questions were aimed at ascertaining perceptions of the system including strengths, challenges, and suggestions for improvement as well as targeted demographics. Results are discussed through the lens of geographic and socioeconomic differences by dividing the state into regions based on these variables. Viewing the results in this manner allowed for an investigation of variables known to impact follow-up while also providing respondents with anonymity to respond openly to survey questions. Survey results were compared to follow-up and outpatient screening data to elucidate relationships between perception and practice. Results provided perspective into the Georgia EHDI system from key personnel. Targeted solutions are discussed in a manner that makes them generalizable to other state EHDI programs.
- Learner will list 3 challenges typically encountered in the implementation of EHDI.
- Learner will list 3 strengths that EHDI personnel identify as essential to minimizing loss to follow-up.
- Learner will discuss the relationship between perception and practice.
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Presenter: Brianna Kelley
Brianna Kelley received her MA in audiology from the University of Iowa in 2019. She is a current 3rd PhD student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at the University of Georgia. Her research interests focus around early hearing detection and intervention, in particular, program implementation and barriers that prevent families from rescreens and diagnostic evaluations after a failed initial screen.
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Sandie Bass-Ringdahl, PhD, CCC-A is a Clinical Associate Professor in the University of Georgia’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program. Her research/teaching interests revolve around speech/language emergence and acquisition in pediatrics, including children who are deaf or hard of hearing and/or have developmental disabilities. She conducts research on the impact of interventions, including assistive devices (cochlear implants and hearing aids) and behavioral interventions (functional communication training), and how they impact these processes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -