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Maine Newborn Hearing Program
Vision
The objective of the Maine Newborn Hearing Program
is to assures that all Maine infants will be offered
newborn hearing screenings and appropriate follow-up when identified with
hearing loss.
Mission
Hearing loss is one of the most treatable conditions an infant can have. Without
newborn hearing screening, many infants are not identified with hearing
loss until important speech and language milestones are significantly
delayed. With early identification of a hearing loss, services can be
provided in time to allow for introduction of communication options and can
prevent or mitigate disabling conditions associated with the late development of
fluent language and communication skills.
Based on national data and given
Maine’s birth rate of
approximately 13,500 per year, up to 40 infants per year would be identified
with moderate or profound bilateral hearing loss, up to 80 infants if mild and
unilateral cases are included.
Maine law established the Maine Newborn Hearing Program in 2000. The law
authorizes the program to assure that all families, caregivers, and their
children have information and access to newborn hearing screenings.
Additionally, the law authorizes the program to establish a surveillance and
tracking system of all children with hearing loss. The Maine Newborn Hearing
Program seeks to accomplish this through the following activities:
- Providing information to all Maine hospitals and
birthing centers regarding the importance of newborn hearing screenings and
follow-up care.
- Establishing a universal newborn hearing screening system at all Maine
hospitals
and birthing centers.
- Partnering with the University of Maine in development and
implementation of a data system for tracking and surveillance of children with
hearing loss.
- Integrating the data system with other existing Maternal
and Child Health databases.
- Collaborating with other state and private agencies in planning and implementing a
comprehensive referral system for developmentally appropriate services for
children with hearing loss.
Other
Information
Updated on:
03/07/2008
