This past week Dr. Neeru Rohila-Chadha took part in a five-day online seminar on Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI). The course was provided by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) October 18-22. The classes reviewed the protocol for newborn hearing screenings and diagnostic evaluations. It also covered counseling tips for parents along with communication options and resources that can be offered to families.
We are proud to play an active role in following up with newborns who do not pass their hearing screenings in the hospitals. Our doctors provide diagnostic evaluations and continued follow-up with the children and parents.
Research shows 3 in 100 babies have some degree of temporary or permanent hearing loss. The goal of screening newborns is to diagnose a hearing loss by three months of age and address the hearing loss by six months of age, thus allowing the child to develop language at the same rate as their peers with normal hearing. The earlier hearing loss is found, the less impacted the language will be and therefore children will be less impacted in their academic performance once they enter school.
We are proud to be a part of this program, and are thrilled by the continued efforts of our staff to stay updated on the protocols, techniques and procedures.