Last Updated: January 2023

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

The indicator has remained steady for several years, and we do expect fluctuation in this indicator in the future.

The Vermont Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child 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 including referral to early intervention services. A referral to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist is completed to determine etiology of hearing loss and any potential for medical management.

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. 

• Pediatric audiologists
• Ear nose and throat physicians
• Primary care providers
• Early intervention 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; care manages with the families and infants in need of diagnostic audiology testing and provides guidance to our external partners regarding quality improvement initiatives.

Our program currently care manages all infants who have not passed a universal newborn hearing screening and need diagnostic audiology testing for possible identification of permanent hearing loss.

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