Hearing Information Resources

There are many state and national resources available to assist, inform, and educate families of infants and toddlers diagnosed with hearing loss. Links below include state early interventions sites and national resources that provide information about early childhood hearing loss. While the links are comprehensive, they are not all-inclusive. These sites have been assessed as useful for educational purposes; however, the Newborn Hearing Screening Program cannot guarantee the accuracy of all of the content included in the links.
 

STATE RESOURCES

Pediatric Audiology Resources

This document was created by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Newborn Hearing Screening Program in conjunction with the Oklahoma Audiology Taskforce (OKAT) in 2011. The information was compiled from a statewide survey of licensed audiologists in July 2010 to serve as a resource for families, medical home providers, and newborn hearing screening programs. It should not be viewed as a complete resource directory or as an endorsement of any specific agency. Provider services were self-reported and not verified by the OSDH or the OKAT. Please call ahead to verify this information with a site as details can change over time.

A Professional’s Guide to Pediatric Audiologists in Oklahoma

Pediatric Audiology Protocols

The following recommended protocols were developed by the Oklahoma Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) in collaboration with the Oklahoma Audiology Taskforce (OKAT). Protocols are to be implemented by individuals licensed by the State of Oklahoma to practice audiology.

The Oklahoma Protocol for Infant Audiologic Diagnostic Assessment was developed as a guide for professionals who serve as a referral resource for infants that do not pass newborn hearing screening. The protocol should be used to facilitate the diagnosis of hearing loss, to obtain medical clearance for amplification, and to fit amplification systems on infants with hearing loss by three months of age.

The Oklahoma Protocol for Pediatric Amplification was developed to ensure that Oklahoma children will receive full-time and consistent audibility of the speech signal at safe and comfortable listening levels.


Early Intervention Services

Infants identified with hearing loss need assistance in developing communication. It is necessary for intervention to begin as soon after birth as possible. Many Oklahoma babies with hearing loss have been diagnosed and fitted with hearing aids within the first month of life. Frequently, these infants are enrolled in an intervention program before they are six weeks old. Information about Oklahoma’s Part C Early Intervention Program is below.

SoonerStart Early Intervention Program, services available statewide (Search for SoonerStart)


Monthly Newsletter - Listen From Ear to Ear-Tips of the Month

March & April 2012 - GET TO KNOW US!!!!
The Newborn Hearing Screening Program wants to introduce our new team.  We have three new staff members since last year.  

February 2012 - Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL)
The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH 2007) recommends that all children with congenital permanent bilateral or unilateral hearing loss (UHL)  including those with permanent conductive or neural hearing loss (ANSD) receive early intervention.   In 2002, Oklahoma revised the standard for children with hearing loss to automatically qualify for Part C services to include documented bilateral hearing loss of 25dBHL or greater.   In January 2012, it was approved by Oklahoma’s Part C program to include unilateral as an automatic qualifier for services also.  This will ensure improved outcomes for infants/children with UHL.

January 2012 - National Birth Defects Prevention Month
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and National Folic Acid Awareness Week is January 8-14, 2012 .  Some birth defects are risk indicators for hearing loss; therefore, babies with certain birth defects do need follow up hearing screenings and routine diagnostic audiologic evaluations.

December 2011 - Oklahoma’s Loss to Follow-up/Documentation
Is this a great state or what?????

November 2011 - NHSP BROCHURE: WE HAVE CHANGED OUR LOOK!!!
The Newborn Hearing Screening Program is introducing the  REVISED hearing screening brochure that will be disseminated to all birthing hospitals and county health departments and is available to anyone.

October 2011 - Genetics and Hearing Loss
Genetics is not just about families but about the overall health of the child.  There is about a 50% chance that a child’s hearing loss is due to a genetic cause.

September 2011 - Equipment calibration, Why and What do I do?
August 2011 - Hearing Screening - It is not always easy!
July 2011 - How is bilirubin and hearing loss related?

National Resources

The links below provide general information about hearing, hearing loss, hearing screening, diagnostic assessment, hearing aids, intervention services, intervention methodologies, communication systems, deaf culture, and parent support.

National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM)

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.

Hands and Voices

National Association for the Deaf