Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (LA EHDI) Program

Communication is Key 

The Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (LA EHDI) program supports coordinated systems of care that ensure families of babies and children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) receive appropriate and timely services. These services include hearing screening, diagnosis, early intervention (EI), and family-to-family support. The goal of the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program is to ensure that children who are deaf or hard of hearing are identified as early as possible through hearing screening and receive diagnosis and appropriate early intervention to optimize language, literacy, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

It is important to identify a baby's hearing level early so families can figure out the best way to communicate with them. Hearing screening is the first step in finding out if a child is deaf or hard of hearing. Louisiana law mandates that all babies are screened prior to hospital discharge. The Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program also follows the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing's Position Statement and national benchmarks, known as the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 1-3-6 goals.

1. Hearing screening no later than 1 month of age

2. Diagnosis no later than 3 months of age for infants who did not pass the screening

3. Enrollment in early intervention services no later than 6 months of age for those identified as D/HH

Enrollment in early intervention as soon as possible plays an important part in helping children who are deaf or hard of hearing reach their full potential.

The state-mandated Advisory Council for the Early Identification of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants meets quarterly to provide guidance to the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program. The Council includes parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, representatives from the deaf or hard of hearing community, and healthcare and educational professionals. For information about council meetings and vacancies, please visit the Family Health Boards and Commissions page.

Primary Program Functions

• Provide oversight of newborn hearing screening, tracking of audiological status, and referral to early intervention services.

• Evaluate newborn hearing screening performance at each birthing facility.

• Provide Louisiana Birthing Facilities with Newborn Hearing Screening Guidelines, Outpatient Hearing Screening Guidelines, and Pediatric Diagnostic Audiology Guidelines for providers who perform hearing screenings, other testing, and provide ongoing care.

• Train providers to use the Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention HiTrack Data Management System to report follow-up testing and view test history.

• Contact and support families of children who are in need of follow-up hearing testing.

• Refer families to early intervention services provided by:

  • EarlySteps

  • The Louisiana School for the Deaf’s Outreach Program, Guidance Outreach, and Language Development (GOLD)

• Connect parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to family-to-family support through Louisiana Hands and Voices.

 

Funding

The Louisiana Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant.

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For Families and Caregivers

Learn more about the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention process, early intervention, and our recommended resources.

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For Healthcare Professionals and Providers

Explore tools and resources for birthing facilities, audiologists, and pediatricians.

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Additional Resources

Find resources related to communication options for children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, and additional resources for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.

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Partners For Family Health Data Center

View our fact sheets and data reports, or submit a data request.

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