Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
(EHDI)))
Hearing loss must be detected early in life so children can learn the meaning and utility of sounds, can develop language and speech, and can acquire an education.
On the most human level, hearing loss is frustrating and debilitating, impairing the basic ability to communicate. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment are essential. The negative effects of sensory deprivation in children born with profound hearing loss may be both physiologic and behavioral. Hearing loss can have serious socioeconomic implications.
Children who have hearing loss may also experience delay in language, speech and educational development dating from the onset of the loss.
Children with hearing loss must achieve communication and social skills to commensurate with their cognitive abilities. To do this, it is essential that infants with hearing loss are identified early and appropriate intervention services are initiated. Without early identification and intervention children with hearing loss may experience delay in the development of language, cognitive, and other social skills that may prevent success in academic and occupational achievement.
GOALS OF EHDI
1- Screening every newborn for hearing loss prior to hospital discharge.
2- Infants not passing the screening receive appropriate diagnostic evaluation before 3 months of age
3- Early intervention by 6 months of age.
4- All infants and children with late onset, progressive or acquired hearing loss will be identified at the earliest possible time.
COMPENENTS OF EHDI – (COMPONENTS OF EHDI?
1-Birth admission screen
Recent advances in audio logical technology have allowed accurate screening for hearing loss soon after and have facilitated earlier therapy.
The birth admission screen uses brainstem responses (ABRs) or otoacoustic emissions (OAE).
2-Follow-up screen
The follow-up screen is on an outpatient basis, when the baby is between 1 and 3 weeks of age.
There is a need for the EHDI system to identify and track infants and young children who are missed or who do not have an identified hearing loss at birth. Primary care providers, parents and other care providers should refer infants for screening any time they suspect a hearing loss.
If an infant fails the rescreen, an infant audio logical diagnostic assessment is recommended to identify the severity and type of hearing loss and to begin the intervention process. The goal is to begin this diagnostic process between 1 and 3 months of age.
All infants with confirmed hearing loss should be referred for a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess the causes and look for potential or related disabilities.
3-Intervention services
Appropriate intervention should be initiated by 6 months of age. The fitting and use of amplification must begin as soon as possible because the time between onset of loss and the fitting of amplification may increase resistance to acceptance of amplification.
All auditory stimuli are filtered through an impaired sensory system; therefore, the impact of impairment must be minimized as early as possible through amplification, stimulation, and training in use of residual hearing.
The habilitative services are provided to ensure that an infant who has a significant hearing loss will develop language normally.
Today a profoundly deaf child whose hearing loss is detected early (before the age of 6 months) and who is provided with adequate bilateral amplification can learn to speak and use residual hearing to learn.
For younger children with profound deafness that cannot be managed with conventional hearing aids, cochlear implants have added a revolutionary dimension to early hearing habilitation.
The goal is to allow more hearing impaired children to succeed in mainstream educational environments.
4-Family support
Includes: general information, communication and education, health and development and family support organization.