Last Updated: January 2023

Author: Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator has remained steady over time. The percentage fluctuates due to infants being discharged without a hearing screening, infants being screened after one month of age, or families who are unresponsive or decline hearing screening services.

The Vermont Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health oversees the Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (VTEHDI). The first step in the comprehensive process of hearing loss identification is the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). This initial hearing screening of all newborns within 1 month of birth is achieved through collaboration between VTEHDI and our external partners including birthing hospitals, homebirth midwives and pediatric providers. The initial hearing screening is typically obtained prior to discharge from the birthing hospital or by the homebirth midwife and can also be completed on an outpatient basis at various community partners/providers.

The  COVID-19 Pandemic and the cyberattack at the University of Vermont Medical Center (Vermont's largest birthing center) impacted the 2020 and 2021 newborn hearing screening data 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.

This indicator is part of Healthy Vermonters 2020 which documents the health status of Vermonters at the start of the decade and the population health indicators and goals that will guide the work of public health through 2020. 

• Birth hospitals
• Homebirth midwives
• Primary care providers
• Audiologists
• Community health teams
• Early Head Start providers
• Families

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, monitors the hearing screening data in real time and provides guidance to our external partners regarding quality improvement initiatives.

Our program currently care manages all infants who have not received or need a follow-up hearing screening. We collaborate closely with our external partners to ensure timely hearing screening for infants born in Vermont.

Data is updated as it becomes available and timing may vary by data source.