What
is EHDI?
The goal of
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
is to screen the hearing of every infant born before discharge
from the hospital. Infants who do not immediately pass the hearing
screening will be referred for full diagnostic testing. If the
infant is then identified with a hearing loss the family will
be referred to appropriate services so early intervention will
occur.
New
technology has made early detection of hearing impairment and
treatment for infant's possible. In the past, most hearing deficits
in children were not identified until age two or three. Infants
who are diagnosed early and have treatment initiated by six months
of age have a better chance for developing speech and communication
skills than children who are diagnosed later in infancy or childhood.
Early intervention
for speech and hearing disorders can enable a child to "catch
up" with their peers in language development, often before reaching
school age. Hearing screening performed before the baby leaves
the hospital insures an early diagnosis and timely interventionr
birth can get the ball rolling with an early diagnosis and timely
intervention.
