Each year, approximately 12,000 babies are born in the United States with permanent hearing loss. With 3 of every 1,000 newborns having a hearing loss, it is the most frequently occurring birth defect. Additionally, another 2 to 3 per 1,000 children will acquire a hearing loss after birth.
This page serves as a guide to assist you in finding information about hearing loss, reporting requirements and forms, and Web links to local, state and national resources.
Amplification, Implants and FM Systems 
Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection & Hearing Loss
Genetics of Early Childhood Hearing Loss
Hearing Assessment in Infants and Children: Recommendations Beyond Neonatal Screening
Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Statement 2007
Late Onset Hearing Loss in Infants and Young Children
Medical Care for Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss in Children
Pediatric Auditory Neuropathy/Dys-synchrony
US Preventative Task Force Recommendation
Loss to Follow-Up in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs
The purpose of the Iowa EHDI Best Practices Manual is to advance the development of a comprehensive statewide early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) system in Iowa. The manual is a guide to assist hospitals, birth centers, Area Education Agencies (AEAs), health care providers and private practice audiologists in developing programs and written protocols for newborn hearing screening, follow up and intervention.
Changing Soft Pin Instructions
Token Replacement Request Form
Newborn Hearing Screening Protocol
Pediatric Diagnostic Audiologic Protocol
Paper Hearing Screening Reporting Form Protocol
Newborn Hearing Screening Reporting Form
Brochure of the Iowa Early Detection and Intervention System
Printed copies of the brochure may be requested from:
Tammy O'Hollearn
Iowa EHDI Coordinator
Phone:(515) 242-5639
(800) 383-3826
Fax:(515) 242-6013
A Sound Beginning Brochure - Spanish
This handbook provides a page-by-page reference for navigating the eSCREENER Plus (eSP™) data system for the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program.
eSCREENER Plus Manual
GBYS is a family support program for Iowa families who have an infant or toddler who has a hearing loss.
Guide By Your Side™ Program PageNatus 
Manufacturer of ALGO® Newborn Hearing Screeners with AABR® technology.
Medical Technologies
Midwest vendor for OZ, Bio-logic, Otodynamics, Madsen and other manufacturers of screening equipment.
Specialty Instruments, Inc.
Vendor for Grason Stadler and Maico.
Are you having problems with your hearing screening equipment? The Iowa EHDI program has a limited number of loaner screening OAE units available for hospitals to use while their screening equipment is being repaired.
There is no charge for borrowing the equipment.
For information about loaner units, please contact:
Alitta Boechler - (800) 272-7713
Lenore Holte - (319) 356-1168
Emily Andrews - (319) 384-6894
Nick Salmon - (515) 576-5312
Iowa Board of Professional Licensure - Audiologists
Resource guide for parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Family Resource Guide
Iowa Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Family Resource Guide(Spanish)
Printed copies of the brochure may be requested from:
Tammy O'Hollearn
Iowa EHDI Coordinator
Phone:(515) 242-5639 or (800) 383-3826
Fax:(515) 242-6013
Program newsletter used to communicate with parents and professionals about newborn hearing screening in Iowa, including best practice and family stories.
Newborn Hearing Screening Questions
Risk Factors Associated with Hearing Loss
List of Audiology Centers in Iowa and Bordering States
Communication Guide for Newborn Hearning Screening Results
Tips for a Successful Screening Session
Guidelines for Medical Home Page 1
Guidelines for Medical Home Page 2
Diagnosis Checklist for Medical Home
Early ACCESS - EHDI Questions and Answers Summary
This directory is intended to serve as a resource for parents and professionals in locating a variety of pediatric audiology and hearing aid dispensing providers throughout Iowa. Audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, and ear, nose, and throat doctors were invited to be listed in this directory. All providers who responded and provide pediatric hearing health care services to children have been included in this directory.
The centers listed below offer diagnostic services for infants and toddlers who have, or are suspected of having, hearing loss. The centers provide testing services, including auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. All but four: Child Serve Therapies, Berry Audiology Center, AEA 9 and AEA 15, can offer sedation for testing when required. This list is not comprehensive and is subject to change.
Area Education Agencies work as educational partners with public and accredited, nonpublic schools to help students, school staff, parents and communities. AEAs provide special education support services, media and technology services, a variety of instructional services, professional development and leadership to promote school improvement.
List of birthing hospitals in Iowa who offer outpatient hearing screens for babies delivered at their hospital.
CHSC is a public health program whose mission is to improve the health, development and well-being of children and youth with special health care needs. CHSC works in partnership with families, service providers, communities, and policymakers.
Iowa COMPASS is Iowa's free, statewide information and referral service for people with disabilities, their families, service providers, and other members of the community.
Disclaimer: The following list of Web links is not exhaustive, but a place to begin for those interested in learning more about early hearing detection and intervention programs, hearing loss, and family support. Each Web site below provides additional resources.
Links with a 
icon indicate resources or web sites that are not part of the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Documents denoted by are available in Portable Document Format (.pdf).
This website is supported in part by Iowa's Cooperative Agreement for EHDI, UR3/CCU724779-01 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
