Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
The health department provides newborn hearing screening tests at our health centers. Appointments are required. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 770.904.3717.
Why Early Hearing Screening Matters
The first year is vital for language development. Without screening, hearing issues might go unnoticed until age two. Surprisingly, over half of babies with hearing problems seem healthy and may respond to vibrations, not actual sounds. That’s why early screening is crucial.In Georgia, hospitals screen babies for hearing loss before discharge. If your baby wasn’t born in a hospital, make sure to get them screened before they’re one month old to check for hearing loss.
Early Hearing Loss Intervention Benefits
Early diagnosis allows babies with hearing loss to begin interventions for the best outcomes. Hearing loss can impact speech, language, and social skills. Starting services early can help these skills reach their full potential. Research shows that early intervention services significantly improve a child’s development by helping them learn language and other key skills.
Remember 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months!
By One Month: Your baby should be screened for hearing loss.
By Three Months: Your baby will need to see a specialist, like an audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT), for further hearing evaluation.
By Six Months: Your baby, if diagnosed with hearing loss, should start intervention services. These services may include speech therapy, hearing devices or other services your baby’s doctor or care coordinator recommends.
The health department provides newborn hearing screening tests at our health centers. Appointments are required. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 678-442-6863.
What should I expect when I get my newborn screened for hearing loss?
Most babies sleep through their hearing screening test. Tests are safe, easy on the baby, and only take a few minutes.
There are two newborn screening tests:
- Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) This tests your baby’s ability to hear soft sounds through small earphones. Baby’s brain waves are measured to find out whether the sounds are processed normally
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) This test measures a baby’s responses to sounds directly using a small microphone and special computer.
If you want more information about newborn hearing screening, call 678-442-6863.
About the Early Hearing Detection Intervention (EDHI) Program
EDHI offers a complete screening and referral system in Georgia:
- Hospital screening for hearing loss.
- Rescreening for those who don’t pass the initial test.
- Detailed hearing evaluations for babies who fail the rescreening.
- Connecting diagnosed babies to the right interventions.
To learn more, visit State of Georgia EHDI website.