Early Hearing Screenings

Early intervention for a young child or newborn with hearing loss is critical. It can help prevent delays in communication and cognitive development. The Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI) Program offers newborn hearing screenings to make sure that children with a hearing loss are identified early so they can get the services they need. TEHDI Resources for Parents has links to downloadable PDFs with information for parents-to-be, and information to guide parents after their baby has been tested.

Texas Connect offers Navigating the Texas Early Intervention System (PDF) to illustrate the steps from the Newborn Hearing Screening to the time your child receives services. It may help you understand the process.

If your baby does not pass the newborn screening tests it is important that you ask your pediatrician to refer you to an audiologist.

The EHDI PALS Directory can help you find a pediatric audiologist who specializes in hearing assessments for young children. 

Info on early intervention from Texas EHDI

Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (Texas EHDI): A system of care. A community of support provides:

  • Information about newborn hearing screening
  • Information about hearing loss for children birth to three
  • Family support
  • Help to find medical and audiological services for your child’s hearing needs
  • Help understanding and accessing early intervention services
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HOT TIPS

If your child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss, your doctor is supposed to refer your child to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). Be sure to follow up with your doctor’s office to make sure the ECI referral has been processed.

Informational Videos and Checklists

Parents whose children did not pass their newborn hearing screen are featured in Loss and Found, a video from Hands & Voices™. Their experiences may help you understand and deal with your child’s hearing loss.

You Are Not Alone” from the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers support for families when they first learn that their child is deaf or hard of hearing.  

Check out Texas Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side™ Quick Clicks (PDF). It offers a list of online resources and downloadable and printable materials for parents of children from birth-21 who are deaf or hard of hearing.