Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program ensures every baby born in Georgia is screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. If a baby doesn't pass the screening, EHDI Coordinators connect families to follow-up testing and, if hearing loss is confirmed, early intervention services - following the 1-3-6 guideline: screening by 1 month, diagnosis by 3 months, and enrollment in services by 6 months.

Hearing loss is more common than any other condition screened for at birth. About 3 out of every 1,000 babies in the United States are born with hearing loss. Based on that estimate, 375 babies are born with hearing loss in Georgia each year.

The 1-3-6 Guideline

The Georgia EHDI Program follows the national best-practice guideline from the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH, 2019):

1 month: All babies are screened before leaving the hospital and rescreened by 1 month of age if they don't pass the initial screening.
3 months: If a baby doesn't pass the screening or rescreening, a full diagnostic hearing evaluation is completed.
6 months: If hearing loss is confirmed, the baby is enrolled in early intervention and support services.

The earlier a baby is identified with hearing loss and begins receiving services, the more likely their speech, language, and social skills will reach their full potential.

What does the program do?

EHDI maintains a comprehensive, coordinated, statewide screening and referral system to identify congenital hearing loss. The program covers newborn hearing screening at the birthing hospital; referral for rescreening if a baby doesn't pass; diagnostic audiological evaluation for babies who don't pass rescreening; and connection to early intervention and support services for babies diagnosed with hearing loss. EHDI also provides technical assistance and training to hospitals, primary care physicians, audiologists, early interventionists, and public health staff, and conducts data collection and surveillance on congenital hearing loss statewide.

Why is the program important?

The most crucial period for language development is the first year of life. Without newborn screening, hearing loss is typically not identified until two years of age. Screening for all newborns before discharge from the hospital or birthing center is essential for the earliest possible identification of hearing loss and, consequently, for maximization of language, communication, educational, and reading potential.

More than half of babies born with hearing problems are otherwise healthy and have no family history of hearing loss. If your baby has hearing loss, you can still help your baby develop language skills. The sooner you act, the better the outcome.

Risk Factors

Anyone can have a baby with hearing loss, but certain factors increase the likelihood, including:

Premature birth or a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Family history of hearing loss
Certain illnesses, medications, or infections (such as Congenital Cytomegalovirus) during pregnancy or infancy

Hearing can be lost or damaged at any age, so repeat testing may be necessary even after a passed newborn screening. If you have any concern about your baby's hearing, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

If Your Baby Doesn't Pass the Screening

A "did not pass" or a "fail" result is not a diagnosis - it's a signal that more testing is needed to know for sure. Skipping or delaying follow-up is the most common reason a baby with hearing loss isn't identified in time to get help early.

Schedule and complete outpatient rescreening or diagnostic testing as soon as possible.
Follow every recommendation from your hospital screening staff, audiologist, or physician, even if your baby seems to hear fine at home.
Contact your local EHDI Coordinator, who can help you schedule and complete follow-up testing. Many health departments offer rescreening directly, and every coordinator keeps an up-to-date resource map of local audiologists and early intervention providers to connect families and providers to the nearest follow-up care.
- To find your local EHDI Coordinator: go to the Women and Children Service Locator, select the county where the child lives, and select "EHDI Coordinator."