Journal article
Expanding the Role of Educational Audiologists After a Failed Newborn Hearing Screening: A Quality Improvement Study
American journal of audiology, Vol.30(3), pp.631-641
09/10/2021
DOI: 10.1044/2021_AJA-21-00003
PMCID: PMC8642079
PMID: 34269595
Abstract
Purpose Lack of timely and proximal access to diagnostic hearing evaluation using auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing hampers the effectiveness of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs in the United States. This study measured the impact of a state-based quality-improvement (QI) project that provided diagnostic ABR equipment and training to educational audiologists distributed throughout Iowa in regional special education centers. Method We used de-identified administrative data generated by the state EHDI program to analyze markers of access to early hearing health care for infants in a preproject condition ("Baseline") compared to the implementation of diagnostic ABRs at the regional special education centers ("QI Project"). Results Our findings revealed that the QI Project was associated with improvements in timeliness of first hearing evaluation, distance traveled for first hearing evaluation, and likelihood of receiving on-guideline audiology care during the first hearing evaluation. Conclusions Following the onset of the QI Project, infants and their families had greater access to initial hearing evaluation after failed newborn hearing screening. This improvement could have cascading effects on timeliness of later intervention among those with confirmed permanent childhood hearing loss.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Expanding the Role of Educational Audiologists After a Failed Newborn Hearing Screening: A Quality Improvement Study
- Creators
- Caitlin Sapp - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJonathan Stirn - University of IowaTammy O'Hollearn - Iowa Department of Public HealthElizabeth A Walker - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of audiology, Vol.30(3), pp.631-641
- DOI
- 10.1044/2021_AJA-21-00003
- PMID
- 34269595
- PMCID
- PMC8642079
- ISSN
- 1059-0889
- eISSN
- 1558-9137
- Grant note
- R21 DC015832 / NIDCD NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/10/2021
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984258842002771
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