Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

There are two basic screening tests used to test infant hearing. Both are painless and the newborn can sleep right through them. No needles are required for testing. ABR: The ABR screen (Audiotory Brainstem Response) measures electrical responses from the brainstem to a presented sound from a probe placed in the ear canal and an electrode placed on the head. This test confirms that the infant responds to sound at the brainstem level. OAE: The OAE screen (Otoacoustic Emission) measures an echo from the inner ear in response to a presented sound from a probe placed in the ear canal. This test confirms that the infant responds to sound at the cochlear level. Both types of screens give good information about the infants hearing. More detailed information can be found on several web sites including www.infanthearing.org and www.babyhearing.org.

All Tennessee birthing hospitals and facilities provide hearing screening to newborns. Results of the hearing screening are recorded on the newborn metabolic/genetic blood spot form or the Hearing Only form and submitted to the State laboratory. The Newborn Hearing Program Coordinator can be contacted by calling (615) 262-6160.

The Department of Health “Newborn Hearing Screening Guidelines for Hospitals and Birthing Centers” provides recommendations to hospitals on developing hearing screening programs, selection of screening personnel and equipment, screening procedures, reporting results, protection of families’ rights, communication with families, risk factors for hearing loss, and quality assurance.

If the blood spot form needs to be submitted prior to completion of the hearing screening: Remove the tear out “Ear” copy of the blood spot form (picture of an ear on top right corner) prior to submitting the blood spot form. When the hearing screening is completed, record the hearing results on the “Ear” copy and submit it with other newborn screens to the State laboratory. The “Hearing Only” form may also be used for this purpose or can be used to report follow-up test results conducted in the hospital or birthing facility.

Infants that have one or more risk indicators for progressive or delayed onset hearing loss are to be reported on the blood spot form. Risk indicators are listed on the back of the tear out “Ear” copy of the blood spot form (picture of an ear on top right corner). A detailed list is available in “The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing 2000 Position Statement - Risk Indicators for Progressive and Delayed Onset or Acquired Hearing Loss”. Infants identified with a risk indicator for hearing loss should receive audiologic hearing testing every 6-12 months until the age of 3 years.

Materials may be ordered by calling (615) 262-6160 or by faxing (615) 262-6159 a copy of the “Hearing Screening Pamphlet Request Form”. Brochures, hearing only forms, hospital protocols, a list of hearing providers, audiology reporting sheets, early intervention guidelines, audiology guidelines and posters are available. A special guide (Parent Packet) to Tennessee services, methods of communication and family support is available for families of infants and children. These Parent Packets are available for download, choose: Parent Packet in English or Parent Packet in Spanish.

An audiology consultant is available by contacting the Newborn Hearing Program Coordinator
(615) 262-6160. The audiology consultant may be contacted for clarification of hospital hearing screening, best practice procedures, follow-up, reporting and staff training. The consultant provides training and support for hospitals, early intervention providers, medical providers, families and others. Newborn Hearing Screening Pediatric Audiology Assessment and Amplification Guidelines

The Department of Health “Pediatric Hearing Screening, Audiologic Diagnostic, and Early Intervention Providers” provides a list of pediatric service providers for hearing follow-up. The list identifies hearing and speech centers for screening and diagnostic testing, otolaryngologists, ENT’s, audiologists, hearing aid providers, cochlear implant providers, early intervention and aural habilitation providers by region of the state (east, middle, west). “Map of Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Centers”. The Department of Health “Pediatric Audiology Assessment and Amplification Guidelines for Tennessee” are available to audiologists and other hearing providers. The guidelines were developed for the purpose of advancing an effective statewide system for assessing the hearing of infants and young children, birth to five years of age.

TEIS provides support to the newborn hearing program as a part of Child Find (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C). Families and medical providers may contact TEIS for assistance in locating families of infants in need of follow-up hearing testing or request service coordination for infants identified with a hearing loss. TEIS provides free service coordination to children birth to age three who may have a developmental delay or have a diagnosed condition such as hearing loss that may impact future learning.  Additional information may be found on the TEIS Web site. (800) 852-7157.

Infants and children found to have hearing loss may be eligible for the Tennessee Department of Health Children’s Special Services (CSS) program. This program provides medical assistance and care coordination to children based on medical and financial criteria. (615) 741-8530

Genetic assessment and counseling services are available to families of children with diagnosed with hearing loss. Fifty percent (50%) of hearing loss is caused by a genetic disorder. “Map of Genetic Centers for Hearing Follow-Up”.

Newborn Hearing Parent consultants are available in each of the three grand regions of the state (east, middle, west). Parent consultants work to build and strengthen family networks and resources for families of children and youth who are deaf or have hearing related conditions. They promote awareness of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of hearing conditions. They coordinate outreach activities with service providers, hospitals, clinics, and other programs that serve or refer families dealing with hearing loss. Parent consultants work in concert with the Family Voices TN program and the three regional family resource specialists who serve families across the spectrum of disabilities and chronic illnesses of children and youth. “Newborn Hearing FV Parent Consultants”. (615) 383-9442 http://www.tndisability.org/familyvoices.

1. Tennessee Directory of Services For People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing by TN Library Services the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 342-3262 www.tndeaflibrary.nashville.gov.
2. TREDS (Technical Assistance and Resources for Enhancing Deaf/Blind Support) (800) 288-2266.
3. Tennessee Disability Pathfinder (800) 640-INFO (4636) - www.familypathfinder.org.
4. Tennessee Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (deaf/blind also) TTY - (800) 270-1349 or (615) 313-4917 – voice.