SO U N D
MAT T E R S
2015 • ISSUE 3
Audiology Newsletter of the Minnesota Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program
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Enhancing Connections to Pediatric Audiologists
Online Audiology Provider Database Options
As existing healthcare networks continue to merge and
re-align, their referral patterns for EHDI related audiology
may shift as well. In Minnesota, there are currently two
web-based EHDI resources that can help primary care
providers and families locate audiology facilities that serve
infants and children.
EHDI PALS, or Pediatric Links to Service, is a national
database which (to date) includes more than 1000
audiologic facilities nationwide that provide services to
children 0–5 years of age. Users can compare services
provided between locations such as testing with sedation,
tele-audiology, amplification, cochlear implant services,
availability of other on-site or in-system care (like loaner
hearing aids, ENT care), insurance accepted, and more.
As of October 2014, Minnesota had twenty pediatric sites
registered on EHDI PALS according to the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Audiology
Connections publication (page 13). EHDI PALS is
actively being promoted as a tool at the national level by the
American Academy of Pediatrics. Audiologists interested in
including their clinic information on the EHDI PALS site
did you know?
will need to create a facility profile by completing a 10-15
minute survey, and will be asked to verify/update their
information annually. More information about the survey
can be found on the EHDI PALS FAQ page.
Minnesota EHDI–Provider Search enables the user to
locate audiologists (including adjoining states within a user
specified radius) who provide follow-up hearing screening
services for young pediatric patients (Level 1), and those
who provide comprehensive diagnostic care for pediatrics
(Level 2). Providers who wish to add their information to
this website can complete an online questionnaire to submit
the necessary information. Providers currently listed who
wish to update their status or available services can click the
same link above, or reply to this e-mail to request MDH
assistance.
Audiologists are encouraged to register their facility on one
or both sites. In both the EHDI PALS and Minnesota
EHDI-Provider Search databases, the services offered are
referenced by facility name (rather than an individual
audiologist). Therefore, only one audiologist per location
should complete a site profile.
Tracking EHDI Program Effectiveness
Every year, MDH asks audiologists for data related to children with confirmed permanent hearing loss.
Amplification fitting dates are just one of the follow-up measures that are collected. MDH uses this information
to look at statewide trends in timely fitting of amplification to identify any gaps or barriers for children receiving
early care, and to track state EHDI program effectiveness. Thank you for your continued collaboration in these
important efforts!
Have You Heard?
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(Congenital Cytomegalovirus) cCMV
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection in the
United States is the leading infectious cause of disability
in newborns. The single most common consequence of
cCMV is sensorineural hearing loss. As new screening
and treatment options for cCMV are being developed,
CMV is gaining attention in State Early Hearing
Detection & Intervention (EHDI) programs. New
mandates for cCMV education, newborn screening, and
follow-up have been closely tied to newborn hearing
screening programs around the nation. The Minnesota
Newborn Screening & EHDI Program is actively
monitoring current legislation and research in this area.
Timing of CMV testing is critical since determination of
congenital versus acquired CMV cannot be made unless
the virus is detected with dianostic testing by 21 days of
life.
Early CMV diagnosis can:
• aid in determining etiology of hearing loss
• prompt discussion about emerging antiviral
treatment to lessen hearing loss and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes
• enable active monitoring for delayed onset hearing
loss or progression
Last Words from the
Advisory Committee
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Meeting highlights...
• Update on the Minnesota Collaborative Plan for
Maximizing and Monitoring Learner Progress for
Children who are Deaf, Deaf Blind, and Hard of
Hearing
• Revision of the Minnesota Guidelines for Infant
Audiologic Assessment and Guidelines for Medical
Providers is underway
Next meeting: A more detailed summary of other current information
related to cCMV can be found on the CDC website.
Contact Us:
Newborn Screening Program
601 Robert St N, St Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (800) 664-7772 or (651) 201-5466
Fax: (651) 215-6285
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.health.state.mn.us/newbornscreening
EHDI Website: www.improveehdi.org/mn
August 12, 2015
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wilder Foundation
451 Lexington Parkway North
St. Paul, MN 55104