Infant Hearing Loss: A summary of recent progress and challenges

Infant hearing loss affects between 1 and 2 of every 1,000 newborns and can result in developmental delays when left undetected. Through the implementation of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs, states have made great progress in identifying infants with hearing loss. However, previous data have indicated that approximately 50% of newborns screened for hearing loss were not documented to have received the recommended follow-up tests that are needed to confirm a loss. This has generated interest in more accurately quantifying how many infants are not receiving recommended follow-up and understanding the reasons contributing to this situation. In response, the CDC-EHDI program developed a new survey that enables more accurate, reliable, and consistent reporting among state EHDI programs. During this presentation, data from this new survey will be presented that summarizes the current status of efforts to identify infants with hearing loss in relation to National EHDI Goals and Healthy People 2010 Objective 28-11. This will include an overview of standard indicators, such as the percentage of newborns screened and the number identified, and an explanation of what these data suggest. In addition, data related to the number of infants not receiving recommended follow-up tests and the possible reasons for this will be discussed. These data should assist EHDI programs and others in assessing efforts to identify infants with hearing loss and in finding ways to help ensure all infants receive recommended follow-up services.