August 2022

Volume 3 | Issue 4

From the Director | Announcements | Event Calendar

Newborn Hearing Screening Scripts| CDPHE Corner 

From the Director

Warm greetings to you on these hot summer days!

I want to share a bit of my background with you in my attempt to point out how much I am enjoying my role as EHDI Director. I’ve worked for years offering direct service to deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. During (and after) those years, I have focused on research, policy, and administration. Being EHDI Director encompasses all of these roles. It’s a dream job. However, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy job. 

There are more than a few idiosyncrasies in Colorado’s EHDI system. The good news is that we’re on the move. Many changes are the result, in part, of several pieces of legislation. For instance, our Newborn Screening law is less than four years old and the rules that accompany this legislation are even newer. I think that’s rather “young” in the world of legislation. 

As of July 1, a new Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) will house Early Intervention Colorado (aka; Part C). Part C was formerly housed under the Colorado Department of Human Services alongside the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind. 

Another change is the new process for Child Find that took effect on May 1, 2022. In accordance with this legislated change, evaluations for Part C eligibility will be conducted by a variety of programs; administrative educational units (aka; school districts and BOCES) will no longer be conducting qualifying evaluations. This change does not impact many of the children identified through the newborn hearing screening process as children with bilateral degrees of hearing differences automatically qualify for Part C services and do not need an evaluation to qualify. However, children with a unilateral hearing difference do need to have an evaluation and exhibit a concomitant developmental delay to qualify for Part C services. 

There are more changes in the wind. I’ll share them in future editions of this newsletter. For now, I want to share that I am humbled to be working in Colorado’s governmental system with all of its rules and guidance. Add these three notable legislative changes and we end up with a myriad of possibilities to shape the future of Colorado EHDI. It’s a good thing, as long as one likes change! (I do). 

In this EHDItion, you will see much of what is happening with Colorado EHDI on a day-to-day basis. I appreciate the support and participation of so many of you on Colorado EHDI task forces and our Colorado EHDI Alliance. We, quite literally, couldn’t do this work without you. I’m happy to be involved with all of you in our system refresh. Please stay in touch about what is happening and remember to share your priorities going forward.

~ Arlene Stredler-Brown, PhD, CCC-SLP, director of COEHDI

All COEHDI Alliance, task force, and related stakeholder meetings will be listed here. If you would like your meetings included in our monthly newsletter, contact: info@coehdi.org. 

Listen Foundation: Parents Listen and Chat

August 2, 2022 from 7-8 p.m. 

Virtual Back to School parent discussion led by parents and professionals in the field. Co-hosted by Marti Bleidt (Itinerant DHH Teacher); Shannon Elam (Clinical Audiologist), and Lisa Cannon (Educational Audiologist).

• RSVP for the Parents Listen and Chat

Hands & Voices Virtual Parent Support Events:

Pragmatic Language

August 3, 2022 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. 

People that RSVP will receive a Zoom link and/or a text reminder. RSVP at least five days in advance if you need access services or accommodations.

• RSVP for Virtual Parent Support Events

Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory Committee (CIHAC) 

Next meeting: August 5, 2022, from 9-11 a.m.  

The Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory Committee (CIHAC) provides recommendations to hospitals, health care institutions, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the public concerning, but not limited to, newborn hearing screening methodologies, guidelines for reporting, and the means to assure that identified children receive referrals for appropriate follow-up services. They meet quarterly, and meetings are open to the public.

• Contact Leanne Glenn for the Zoom link via email at leanne.glenn@state.co.us.

Larimer County Fair with Hands & Voices 

August 7, 2022, from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.  

Colorado Hands & Voices will be at the Ranch Complex in Larimer County to enjoy the Fair and Rodeo. Join them to enjoy the fair for free. Contact info@co-hv.org with questions.

• Discounted Carnival and Rodeo tickets are available before August 4 using code: GSTICKETS to order tickets online here.

The Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Adults Task Force 

Next meeting: August 8, 2022, from 2-3:30 p.m.  

This task force meets quarterly. 

The Screening Task Force 

Next meeting: August 9, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This task force meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.

CSDB Wednesdays at the Park

August 10, 2022 (various locations/times. See below.)

• 9-10:30 a.m. Peter Pan Park, 4901 W. 93rd Ave, Westminster (Elaine Kim McCarty, ekimmccarty@csdb.org)
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. John Venezia Park, 3555 Briargate Parkway, Colorado Springs (Ashley Renslow, arenslow@csdb.org)
• 4-6 p.m. Ralston Central Park, 5850 Garrison St, Arvada (Kirsten Gardzelewski, kgardzelewski@csdb.org)
• 5-6:30 p.m. Mehaffey Park, 3285 W. 22nd St, Loveland (Kelly Doolittle, kdoolittle@csdb.org)

The Early Intervention Task Force 

Next meeting: August 16, 2022, from 2-3 p.m.

This task force meets monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. 

CSDB Wednesdays at the Park

August 17, 2022, from 10-11:30 a.m.

Central Park (Stapleton), 8801 Martin Luther King Blvd, Denver

• Robin Getz, rlgetz@csdb.org

The COEHDI Alliance 

Next meeting: August 19, 2022, from 10-11:30 a.m.

The COEHDI Alliance meets the third Friday of each month from 10-11:30 a.m. Meetings are open to the public and members of the public are invited to submit a public comment. 

CSDB Wednesdays at the Park

August 24, 2022 various times/locations. See below)

• 9-11 a.m., Willow Farm Park, 901 S. Fordham St, Longmont (Kelly Doolittle, kdoolittle@csdb.org)
• 5-7 p.m., Nancy Lewis Park, 2615 N. Logan Ave, Colorado Springs (Ashley Renslow, arenslow@csdb.org)

The Diagnostic/Identification Task Force 

Next meeting: September 1, 2022, from 4-5 p.m.

This task force has been meeting on alternate months. 

The Families of DHHDB Children Task Force 

Next meeting: September 12, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This task force meets quarterly. 

When communicating newborn hearing screening test results and providing information, it is vital to make sure that families/caregivers have a positive experience with your newborn hearing screening program, that families/caregivers understand the next steps based on screening results, and that families/caregivers know how to access appropriate follow-up care if their baby doesn’t pass the screen. Newborn hearing screening results should be provided face-to-face and in writing. Following a script when communicating with families/caregivers is also very important to make sure that the information you are providing is both accurate and consistent. 

Below are some suggested scripts* for communicating information and test results about newborn hearing screening with families and caregivers. These scripts are recommended because they use clear and simple language that families/caregivers can understand. 

Informing the family/caregiver(s) about the newborn hearing screening: 

“Hi, congratulations on the birth of your baby. My name is ____________ and I am here to screen your baby’s hearing. We provide hearing screening to all babies after they are born. The hearing screening will measure how your baby responds to sound and takes just a few minutes. The test is harmless and most babies sleep through the test. We’re going to screen your baby now, but before we do, are there any questions I can answer?” 

Supporting a family/caregiver(s) that refuse the newborn hearing screening: 

“If you don't mind, I'd like to leave you with something to read that explains the benefits and the importance of newborn hearing screening. If you change your mind and decide you do want the screening, you can let your baby’s doctor know you’d like your baby’s hearing screened.” 

Informing the family/caregiver(s) that the baby passed their hearing screening: 

“Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We just finished the hearing screen. Your baby passed the hearing screening today. Even though your baby passed their hearing screening today, it is important to know that your baby’s hearing can change over time. Babies start learning how to communicate as soon as they are born. Here is a brochure that talks about how babies develop hearing and communication skills. If you are ever worried about your baby’s hearing, talk to your baby’s doctor right away and ask for a referral to a pediatric audiologist who specializes in testing infants and young children.” 

Informing the family/caregiver(s) that a baby did not pass their hearing screening in one or both ears before discharge: 

“Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We just finished the hearing screen. Your baby did not pass the screening today. This does not necessarily mean that your baby has a permanent hearing loss, but without additional testing, we can’t be sure. Not passing a hearing screening means that further testing is needed to understand what your baby hears. We will provide the screening results to your baby’s doctor and referral to a pediatric audiologist who specializes in testing infants and young children. Be sure you make and keep this appointment with the pediatric audiologist. It is important that we understand what your baby hears so we can support you and your baby and make sure your baby has the best chance of meeting important developmental milestones. 

Informing the family/caregiver(s) about an inconclusive screen: 

“We attempted to screen your baby’s hearing, but we weren’t able to complete the test. Some babies need to be screened more than once in order to get an accurate result. We will be back in a few hours to re-screen your baby.”

*Scripts were adapted from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum (NHSTC 2020). 

Additional Resources

• Colorado EHDI has a newborn hearing screening brochure available to share with families/caregivers. Both print and electronic versions are available. All products have English, Spanish, and ASL translations. To order copies of any of these products, visit coehdi.org/nbhs. We’ll print and mail them to you free of charge! We’ll keep you posted as we create more!

• The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Pediatric Audiology Links to Services (EHDI-PALS) is an online national directory that helps connect families/caregivers to a pediatric audiologist in their geographical area who specializes in testing infants and young children.