Last Updated: January 2023

Author: Division of Maternal and Child Health, VTEHDI Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator stayed the same as we are introducing and testing a new format for our report cards.

The Vermont Department of Health oversees the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI). In the event that a child does not pass the initial UNHS screening, a diagnostic hearing evaluation is recommended by 3 months of age. At this milestone, an Audiologist completes the gold standard of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing. If a hearing loss is identified, the audiologist initiates proper audiological and rehabilitative management. Report cards are being sent to diagnostic pediatric audiologists that serve Vermont infants identifying the date of initial testing and the date of diagnosis of hearing loss or normal hearing status.

The  COVID-19 Pandemic and the Cyber-Attack at the University of Vermont Medical Center (Vermont's largest birthing center) impacted the 2020 and 2021 newborn hearing screening data, follow up and reporting.  Hospitals and Audiology Clinics closed for outpatient re-screenings at the beginning of the pandemic and again during the unprecedented cyberattack. Additionally, the VTEHDI staff were deployed to the Vermont Department of Health Emergency Team impacting day to day operations. The Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention recently published journal discusses the impact of COVID 19 on Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs nationwide for states and territories.

Audiologists

The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) has outlined best practice and national standards for the screening, identification and rehabilitation of children with hearing loss in the position paper. This committee within the American Academy of Pediatrics aims to ensure the proper development of language and literacy for children who are diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing. The VTEHDI program recognizes these important milestones and provides support to families and audiologists while infants are undergoing diagnostic testing with pediatric audiologists.

Our program currently care manages all infants who are in the process of ruling in or out a permanent hearing loss through audiological evaluation. We collaborate closely with our external partners to ensure timely access to diagnostic testing services.