Infants, Children, and Youth
Each year in the United States (U.S.), more than 12,000 babies are born with a hearing loss. The cause of hearing loss for many babies is not known, and hearing loss can go unnoticed for years.
Studies have shown that children who have a hearing loss can have delays in speech, language, social skills, and academic achievement. This is why all babies need a hearing screening, which helps find children who may have a hearing loss. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs are designed to help families identify hearing loss as soon as a child is born.
Most babies have a hearing screening soon after birth, usually before they leave the hospital. This is often called Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). That means everybody is screened.
When a child’s hearing loss is identified soon after birth, the child’s family and doctors can make sure the child gets services (e.g., intervention) he or she needs at an early age. This will help the child develop communication and language skills that will last a lifetime.
UNHS is the first step in the EHDI process; other important steps are to get an audiological evaluation to confirm the hearing loss, and to participate in Early Intervention Services.
What is the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program?
The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program directs a statewide system of early intervention for eligible children and their families, coordinating services from health care, educational, and social service agencies, and private providers. When an infant or toddler is suspected of having a developmental delay, she is referred by a parent or professional-which can include health and day care, educational and social service providers-to the designated contact point for her county, called the Single Point of Entry. A service coordinator or case manager will then help arrange for an evaluation and assessment of the child free of charge to determine if she is eligible for early intervention services.
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Directory of Services: Infants, Children and Youth
Family Education / Early Intervention
Maryland Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program
Maryland School for the Deaf
Maryland State Department of Education, Early Intervention Programs
National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management
Partners for Success – Family Support and Resource Center
The Early Childhood Gateway
The Hearing and Speech Agency (HASA)
The Parent’s Place of Maryland
Beginnings – For Parents or Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Has Your Baby's Hearing Been Screened?
Hearing Families
It’s a Noisy Planet- Protect Their Hearing
It’s a Noisy Planet- Sound Advice on Hearing Protection for Young Ears
Texas Math Sign Language Dictionary
