Approximately 3 in 1,000 infants are born deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH). An additional population segment of 3 in 1,000 children experience permanent hearing changes after the newborn period and become D/HH during childhood. Early identification (including screening at birth and periodically in childhood) along with the consistent provision of services are essential to ensure that children who are D/HH experience timely and complete language acquisition, leading to healthy cognitive and socio-emotional development.
Who We Are
- The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Provider Education Center (PEC) is led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in collaboration with partners including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Help Me Grow National Center.
- All EHDI PEC efforts are guided by a multidisciplinary advisory group which includes providers, individuals with lived expertise, EHDI program coordinators, and other EHDI system partners.
- The EHDI PEC is also part of the EHDI National Network.
- The EHDI National Network includes Hands and Voices (who serves as the Family Leadership in Language and Learning Center) and Gallaudet University (who serves as the Implementation and Change Center).
What We Do
The EHDI PEC aims to enhance the confidence and training of healthcare and allied health professionals involved in screening, diagnosing, and providing services to infants, children, and families within the EHDI system. To accomplish this goal, the EHDI PEC will:
- Improve partnerships between providers, EHDI state/territory programs, and other EHDI system partners.
- Enhance EHDI state/territory program and providers confidence in effectively communicating with families, including information about timely follow up and enrollment in early intervention.
- Increase providers' capacity to support children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) and their families.
- Evaluate all project activities.
As part of the EHDI National Network, the EHDI PEC collaborates with Network members to provide coordinated support to state/territory EHDI programs.
Contact Us
Need technical assistance or support? Submit your inquiries to our team using our contact us form.
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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, Child Fatality Reviews – Episode 195 (Video)
In this episode Susan Wiley, MD, FAAP, explains the importance of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention when it comes to language acquisition. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also talk to Erich Batra, MD, FAAP, about how Child Fatality Reviews identify causes of death and help lead to prevention.
Pediatrics on Call
|March 12, 2024
Hearing Screenings and Interventions - Episode 14
Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP discuss with Jareen Meinzen-Derr, MD, PhD, MPH, FACE, her Pediatrics article about the effects of early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Pediatrics on Call
|September 29, 2020
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $300,000 with 0% financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Last Updated
07/10/2024
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics