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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program

The Michigan Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program's goals are to provide for better outcomes for Michigan newborns and young children with hearing loss and their families, through early hearing screening, appropriate audiological diagnosis, and intervention. 

The 1/3/6 Goals for EHDI include:

"1" - All infants are screened for hearing loss no later than  1 month of age, preferably before hospital discharge. 

"3" - All infants who do not pass the screening will have a diagnostic hearing evaluation no later than 3 months of age. 

"6"All infants with a hearing loss are enrolled in early intervention services no later than  6 months of age. 

How is Michigan Doing?

In 2019, there were 174 children who were diagnosed with hearing loss in Michigan. Unfortunately, we know that there are children who are not identified in a timely manner or are never identified at all. There were 1,150 infants in 2019 who required follow-up after a failed hearing screen, however, 532 (46%) of those infants were lost to follow-up (LTF).

The percent of LTF is defined as the number of infants who refer on their final hearing screen and do not come back for diagnostic testing because they are a) unable to be contacted, b) contacted but unresponsive, or c) unknown, divided by the total number of infants who refer on their final screen, Nationally, 25.9% of infants are lost to follow-up after a failed hearing screen. Timely detection of hearing loss is imperative to allow for intervention to begin as early as possible. Not knowing that a baby has a hearing loss can have a long-lasting impact on language and learning, and is considered a developmental emergency.

How can you assist?
Michigan EHDI relies on a network of providers to assist families with follow-up through the 1-3-6 process. Providers following up with families is crucial in assisting with interfacing care systems to facilitate language acquisition milestones in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

EHDI Program Contacts: 

Infant Health Unit Manager: Nick Drzal, 517-388-7622
Infant Health Unit Secretary: Krystina Trowbridge, 517-335-8955
EHDI Coordinator: Gina Cooper, 517-202-0675
Follow-Up Consultant:  Michelle Garcia, 517-335-8878
 
Program Consultant: Nan Asher, 517-335-8273
Data Analyst: Erin Estrada, 517-335-8916
Fax Number: 517-763-0183