Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Funded Research Projects

Improving EHDI Loss to Follow-up / Loss to Documentation through Screening at Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Certification visits (2013-present)

Purpose: To determine if the provision of WIC services in conjunction with EHDI follow-up assessment and referral was associated with improved loss of follow-up / loss of documentation (LFU/LTD) rates.

Presentation(s): 

• EHDI-WIC:  Reduction of LFU for newborn hearing screening through collaboration with the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) program in Ohio, 2015.
• Benefits of WIC collaboration in Wisconsin.  Webinar.  September 2015.

Publication(s):

• Hunter LL, Meinzen-Derr J, Wiley S, et al.  Influence of the  WIC Program on Loss to Follow-up for Newborn Hearing Screening. Pediatrics. 2016;138(1):e20154301   
• Seeliger, E. L., Martin, R. A., Gromoske, A. N., & Harris, A. B.  (2016). WIC participation as a risk factor for loss to follow-up in the Wisconsin EHDI system.  Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, 1(1), 57-65.  (http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/jehdi/vol1/iss1/8)

Innovations for Electrophysiologic Assessment of Infant Hearing (2010-2013)

Purpose:  To explore any technique or technology (existing or new) that can be incorporated in electrophysiological testing, which will facilitate hearing loss diagnosis in newborns, without the use of sedation.

Presentation(s): 

• The principles and findings-to-date from this research.  AUCD Teleconference.  January 2012.
• Results from noise-modeling experiments in adults and chirp-evoked ABR.  American Auditory Society.  March 2012
• Does innovative signal processing improve ABR thresholds during myogenic noise?  American Auditory Society.  Scottsdale, AZ.  March 2012.
• A comparison of click and rising-frequency chirp ABR stimuli.  American Auditory Society.  Scottsdale, AZ.  March 2012.

Publication(s): 

• Cone, B. & Norrix, L.  (2015). Measuring the advantage of Kalman-Weighted averaging for Auditory Brainstem Response hearing evaluation in infants.  American Journal of Audiology, 24, p. 153-168.  (http://aja.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2109966)

Language and Behavioral Outcomes of Children with Congenital Hearing Loss (2006-2009)

Purpose: To conduct prospective comparisons of language, communication, behavior, and adaptive skills among (1) children identified early with minimal and mild hearing loss; (2) children identified early with moderate to profound bilateral hearing loss; and (3) typically hearing children at 36 and 48 months of age.  Child, family, and intervention characteristics were identified that contributed to the best possible outcomes.

Presentation(s):

• Association of maternal characteristics with language outcomes at 18 months for children with congenital hearing loss.  EHDI Conference.  (Poster Presentation).  March 2009.

Developmental Outcome Feasibility Study:  Deaf/Hard of Hearing, EHDI Developmental Outcomes Study (NECAP) (2008-present)

Purpose:  To collect and analyze developmental outcomes (including expressive and receptive language) for infants and children who are deaf or hard of hearing enrolled in early intervention services from multiple jurisdictions.

Presentation(s):

• Examining language outcomes at the national level.  EHDI Conference.  Dallas, TX; Teleconference; & Chicago IL.  2009.
• Home, home on the range – The medical home in CO.  EHDI Conference.  2009.
• Siblings:  Misery, mystery & fond memories.  Iowa EHDI Conference.  State College, PA.  August 2009.
• Early intervention program accountability:  A multi-faceted approach.  EHDI Conference.  Chicago, IL.  2010.
• LENA Assessment.  Marion Downs Symposium.  Aurora, CO.  July 2010.
• Pragmatic language development.  Marion Downs Symposium.  Aurora, CO.  July 2010.
• EHDI and Guide by Your Side (GBYS):  Very early family support.  Southeast Regional EHDI Conference.  Knoxville, TN.  July 2010.
• Supporting families without bias.  Deafness & Mental Health.  Toronto, Ontario.  October 2010.
• The shaping of systems:  It takes a village.  Colorado HCP Coordinators Conference.  October 2010.
• The IFSP communication plan.  EHDI Conference.  Atlanta, GA.  2011.
• Language outcomes:  Results of a multi-state collaboration.  EHDI Conference.  Atlanta, GA.  2011.
• Adding the missing link to language assessment:  LENA.  EHDI Conference.  Atlanta, GA.  2011.
• The development of pragmatics in children with hearing loss.  EHDI Conference.  Atlanta, GA.  2011
• IEPs for high achievers.  HDI National Conference.  February 2011.

Publication(s): 

• Aragon, M., Yoshinaga-Itano, C.  (2012). Using language environment analysis to improve outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Seminars in Speech and Language, 33(4), 340-353.  (http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/23081793)
• Uhler, K. & Yoshinaga-Itano, C.  (2011). Longitudinal infant speech perception in young cochlear implant users.  Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 22(3), 129-142.  (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/aaa/jaaa/2011/00000022/00000003/art00002) 
• Wiggin, M., Sedey, A. L., Awad, R., Bogle, J. M., & Yoshinaga-Itano, C.  (2013).  Emergence of Consonants in young children with hearing loss.  Volta Review, 113(2), 127-148.
• Yoshinaga-Itano, C.  (2011). Achieving optimal outcomes from EHDI.  The ASHA Leader, 16(11), 14-17.  (http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=65553504&site=ehost-live)
• Yoshinaga-Itano, C., Baca, R. L., & Sedey, A. A.  (2010). Describing the trajectory of language development in the presence of severe to profound hearing loss:  A closer look at children with cochlear implants versus hearing aids.  Otology & Neurotology:  Official Publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [And] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology, 31(8), 1268-1274.   (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3014847/)

School Age Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss (2008-2010)

Purpose: To conduct prospective comparisons of language, communication, behavior, and adaptive skills among (1) children identified early with minimal and mild hearing loss; (2) children identified early with moderate to profound bilateral hearing loss; and (3) typically hearing children at 36 and 48 months of age.  Child, family and intervention characteristics will be identified that contribute to the best possible outcomes.

Publication(s):

• Torpol, D., Girard, N., St. Pierre, L., Tucker, R., & Vohr, B.  (2011). The effects of maternal stress and child language ability on behavioral outcomes of children with congenital hearing loss at 18-24 months.  Early Human Development, 87(12), 807-811.  (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037837821100209X)
• Vohr, B., Jodoin-Krauzyk, J., Tucker, R., Johnson, M. J., Topol, D., & Ahlgren, M.  (2008). Early language outcomes of early-identified infants with permanent hearing loss at 12 to 16 months of age.  Pediatrics, 122(3), 535-544.  (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/3/535.abstract)
• Vohr, B., Jodoin-Krauzyk, J., Tucker, R., Johnson, M. J., Topol, D., & Ahlgren, M.  (2008). Results of newborn screening for hearing loss:  effects on the family in the first 2 years of life.  Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 162(3), 205-211.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18316656)
• Vohr, B., Jodoin-Krauzyk, J., Tucker, R., Topol, D., Johnson, M. J., Ahlgren, M., & St. Pierre, L.  (2011). Expressive vocabulary of children with hearing loss in the first 2 years of life:  Impact of early intervention.  Journal of Perinatology, 3(4), 274-280.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21745720)
• Vohr, B., Topol, D., Girard, N., St. Pierre, L., Watson, V., & Tucker, R.  (2011). Language outcomes and service provision of preschool children with congenital hearing loss.  Early Human Development. 
• Vohr, B., Tucker, R., St. Pierre, L., Topol, D., Jodoin-Krauzyk, J., & Bloome, J.  (2010). Association of maternal communicative behavior with child vocabulary at 18-24 months for children with congenital hearing loss.  Early Human Development, 86(4), 255-260.  (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378210000824)

Impact of Hearing Loss and Comorbidity on Virginia’s Children and Families (2007-2008)

Purpose: To better understand how a congenital anomaly can affect the identification, evaluation, and treatment of hearing loss.

Presentation(s):

• The impact of co-morbid congenital anomalies on the timeliness of hearing screening and diagnosis for infants with hearing loss in Virginia, 2002-2006.  15^th Annual Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH EPI) Conference.  Tampa, FL.  December 2009.
• The impact of co-morbid congenital anomalies on the timeliness of hearing screening and diagnosis for infants with hearing loss in Virginia, 2002-2006.  Director’s Science Seminar, CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.  Atlanta, GA.  February 2010.
• Health Services.  Virginia Department of Health.  Richmond, VA.  February 2010.
• The impact of co-occurring birth defects on the timeliness of newborn hearing screening and diagnosis.  Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Office of Family Health Services, Virginia Department of Health.  Richmond, VA.  March 2010.
• What do parents want us to know?  EHDI Conference.  Dallas, TX.  March 2010.

Publication(s):

• Chapman, D. A., Stampfel, C., & Lynch, K.  (2011). Impact of co-occurring birth defects on the timing of newborn hearing screening and diagnosis.  American Journal of Audiology, 20, 132-139.  (http://aja.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1781669)

Unilateral and Mild Hearing Loss in Infants and young Children (2005)

Purpose:  To (1) learn more about current practices of clinical audiology programs across the United States that serve children with mild bilateral and unilateral hearing losses; (2) test the effectiveness of hearing screening during preschool years to detect hearing loss (particularly mild loss) that was missed during the newborn period; and (3) learn more about the listening and communication abilities of infants and children with unilateral hearing loss.

Publication(s): 

• Holstrum, J., Gaffney, M., Gravel, J. S., Oyler, R. F., Green, D., & Ross, D. S.  (2008). Early intervention for children with unilateral and mild bilateral degrees of hearing loss.  Trends in Amplification, 12(1), 35-41.  (http://tia.sagepub.com/content/12/1/35.full.pdf+html)
• Ross, D. S., Holstrum, W. J., Gaffney, M., Green, D., Oyler, R. F., & Gravel, J. S. (2008). Hearing screening and diagnostic evaluation of children with unilateral and mild bilateral hearing loss.  Trends in Amplification, 12(1).  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18270176)
• Tharpe, A.  (2008). Unilateral and mild bilateral hearing loss in children:  Past and current perspectives. Trends in Amplification, 12(1).

Risk Factors for Late-Onset Hearing Loss in Children (2004)

Purpose: To (1) evaluate the efficacy of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) 2000 recommended neonatal risk indicators for progressive or late-onset hearing loss, or both; (2) ensure the accuracy of reporting of the JCIH 2000 neonatal risk indicators for progressive or late-onset hearing loss, or both, by hospitals by implementing quality control measures; and (3) evaluate compliance with JCIH 2000 recommendations for monitoring and assessment of children by their primary care physicians and parents.

Presentation(s): 

• Monitoring risk factors for late-onset hearing loss among children.  American Auditory Society.  Scottsdale, AZ.  2005, 2006, 2007, & 2008.
• Late-onset and progressive hearing loss.  EHDI Conference.  New Orleans, LA.  2008.
• Monitoring risk factors for late-onset hearing loss.  Newborn Hearing Screening Meeting.  Cernobbio (Como Lake), Italy.  2008.

Evaluating an EHDI System:  Parent Survey Project (Prior to 2004)

Purpose:  To (1) design survey instruments to evaluate EHDI programs and to pilot them in two participating states; and (2) evaluate parent satisfaction with the Colorado and Massachusetts EHDI programs to facilitate improvement of parent satisfaction within state EHDI programs.

Presentation(s):

• Evaluating an EHDI system:  Parent survey project.  EHDI Conference.  Salt Lake City, UT.  2006.

Efficacy of Two-Stage (OAE/AABR) Newborn Hearing Screening Protocol (Prior to 2004)

Purpose:  To study the efficacy of the 2-stage otoacoustic-emission/automated auditory brainstem response (OAE/AABR) protocol for identifying hearing loss in newborns.

• Johnson, J. L., White, K. R., Widen, J. E., Gravel, J. S., James, M., Kennally, T., Maxon, A. B., Spivak, L., Sullivan-Mahoney, M., Vohr, B. R., Weirather, Y., & Holstrum, J.  (2005).  A multicenter evaluation of how many infants with permanent hearing loss pass a two-stage otoacoustic emissions/automated auditory brainstem response newborn hearing screening protocol.  Pediatrics, 116(3), 663-672.  (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/3/663.short)