UNHS procedures have been modified since 1993 to update the latest technology and ensure efficacy of the program. The current plan of UNHS is to screen all infants by the time they are one month, confirm a hearing loss by three months of age and treat the hearing loss with early intervention by six months of age (“1-3-6 plan”) (Johnson, 2002; McGrath, Vohr, & O'Neil, 2010). The timing of identification and intervention is extremely important due to the fact that researchers have determined speech and language deficits can be identified in the first three years of life, when hearing is most crucial for the development of speech and language (NIH, 1993). Researchers, containing the understanding the first three crucial years of infants life,
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Both of these tests are noninvasive, can be easily performed on infants and detect sensory hearing loss. However, A-ABR test measures the peripheral auditory system, as well as the cranial nerve and brainstem pathway, while EOAE test measures the peripheral auditory system and the outer hair cells of the cochlea. In the past, NIH has recommended ABR testing for infants who failed initial EOAE testing (NIH, 1993). While infants with positive ABR results (hearing loss was suspected) would continue on to further audiological diagnostic testing. Recently, the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing proposed separate protocols for infants in the NICU, as opposed to those infants in the well-baby nurseries (JCIH, 2007). All babies are screened with EOAE testing measures, however, babies admitted to the NICU for more than five days will be screened with both A-ABR and EOAE. Regardless of hearing screening results, all children should be continuously monitored due to a heightened probability of developing a delayed-onset hearing loss, as well as the possibility of A-ABR and EOAE tests missing some later occurring hearing losses due to sensitivity (NIH, 1993; JCIH …show more content…
The goals of EHDI include the “1-3-6 plan,” identification of later-onset hearing loss, coordination of early intervention programs, and implementation of tracking programs to increase follow-up rates. However, recent research has indicated necessary improvements for EHDI to effectively meet its goals. Researchers, Bradham and Houston (2011) conducted an experiment to assess the strengths and weaknesses of internal and external factors related to the EHDI program. Important weaknesses to consider when evaluating the success of the program are the limited access to funding, insufficient staff and educational preparation, and a lack of legislation to aid in data management, staff shortages and the program development as a whole. Although these limitations, should not override the strengths and positive attributes of the program, such as, success in areas of newborn hearing screening, audiological evaluations, early intervention, providing medical professionals, decreasing loss to follow-up, involving family support, and data system management. Overall, EHDI aims to increase literacy and linguistic competence of children with hearing loss through early identification, early intervention and early amplification (McGrath,
Both of these tests are noninvasive, can be easily performed on infants and detect sensory hearing loss. However, A-ABR test measures the peripheral auditory system, as well as the cranial nerve and brainstem pathway, while EOAE test measures the peripheral auditory system and the outer hair cells of the cochlea. In the past, NIH has recommended ABR testing for infants who failed initial EOAE testing (NIH, 1993). While infants with positive ABR results (hearing loss was suspected) would continue on to further audiological diagnostic testing. Recently, the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing proposed separate protocols for infants in the NICU, as opposed to those infants in the well-baby nurseries (JCIH, 2007). All babies are screened with EOAE testing measures, however, babies admitted to the NICU for more than five days will be screened with both A-ABR and EOAE. Regardless of hearing screening results, all children should be continuously monitored due to a heightened probability of developing a delayed-onset hearing loss, as well as the possibility of A-ABR and EOAE tests missing some later occurring hearing losses due to sensitivity (NIH, 1993; JCIH …show more content…
The goals of EHDI include the “1-3-6 plan,” identification of later-onset hearing loss, coordination of early intervention programs, and implementation of tracking programs to increase follow-up rates. However, recent research has indicated necessary improvements for EHDI to effectively meet its goals. Researchers, Bradham and Houston (2011) conducted an experiment to assess the strengths and weaknesses of internal and external factors related to the EHDI program. Important weaknesses to consider when evaluating the success of the program are the limited access to funding, insufficient staff and educational preparation, and a lack of legislation to aid in data management, staff shortages and the program development as a whole. Although these limitations, should not override the strengths and positive attributes of the program, such as, success in areas of newborn hearing screening, audiological evaluations, early intervention, providing medical professionals, decreasing loss to follow-up, involving family support, and data system management. Overall, EHDI aims to increase literacy and linguistic competence of children with hearing loss through early identification, early intervention and early amplification (McGrath,