Vermont Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program

The Vermont Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (VTEHDI) Program supports newborn and early periodic hearing screenings in collaboration with birth hospitals and other community providers, such as audiologists, early head start, homebirth midwives and primary care professionals.

These partnerships ensure timely follow-up to screening and appropriate referrals for diagnostic hearing testing and early intervention services.

Hearing screening and diagnostic results are sent to the VTEHDI Program by health care professionals for all babies born in Vermont. VTEHDI provides support and coordination of services for families and their babies throughout the newborn hearing screening process. VTEHDI works with state and national agencies and organizations to achieve the National 1,3,6 EHDI goals which are:

Screen before 1 month
Diagnose before 3 months
Early Intervention before 6 months

1,3,6 Roadmap for Families

1- Newborn Hearing Screening Should Be Completed Before 1 Month of Age

All babies born in Vermont are offered a newborn hearing screening by their homebirth midwife or birth facility prior to discharge. Newborns that did not pass or receive the screening can be scheduled for an outpatient appointment. This appointment should occur as soon as possible and before 1 month of age. See links for outpatient appointment options below.

Not all childhood hearing loss is identified at birth. Hearing loss can develop at any time for many reasons. Review the risk factors list available in the quick links section for reasons why monitoring hearing after passing the newborn screening is recommended.

Vermont Hospital Outpatient Hearing Screening Appointments
Regional Pediatric Audiology Practices
National Directory-EHDI-PALS

3- Diagnostic Testing with a Pediatric Audiologist Should Be Completed Before 3 Months of Age

Any baby who does not pass the screening, in one or both ears, should have a diagnostic hearing evaluation with a pediatric audiologist as soon as possible and before 3 months of age. See links for pediatric audiologists below.

Regional Pediatric Audiology Practices
Directory EHDI-PALS

6- Specialized Early Intervention (EI) Services for Babies Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Should Start Before 6 Months of Age

The pediatric audiologist who diagnoses the child will share information about the early intervention (EI) programs specific to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children. With parent/guardian consent, a referral will be made to EI.

The family will be contacted by the following two EI programs to discuss their services and next steps:

Parent Infant Program (PIP) - provides specialized EI services for families and their children (0-3) who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind.
Children's Integrated Services (CIS) - provides EI, family support, and prevention services to help promote the healthy development and well-being of children, (pre-birth-3.
Hands and Voices Family Support Activities Guide

Services and Programs that Support Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Children

Catamount Speech & Language Service

Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Educational Services Program (DHHDBESP) (age 3 to 21)

New England Consortium on DeafBlindness

Parent Infant Program (PIP) Brochure (age 0-3)

The CDCI CARES Team: provides Consultation for Access, Resources, and Equipment Support (age 3-22)

Resources for Families Whose Child is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Communicate with your child

Just in Time

Optimizing Outcomes for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Educational Service Guidelines

Say Yes to Early Intervention

Ten Essential Principles for Effective Education of Students Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Vermont Hands and Voices

https://vthv.org/

Vermont Hands and Voices

Off to a Great Start

https://www.handsandvoices.org/great-start/index.html

Off to a Great Start

EHDI PALS Directory

https://www.ehdi-pals.org/Default.aspx#gsc.tab=0

EHDI PALS Directory

A Parents Guide to Hearing Loss

https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss-children-guide/parents-guide/?CDC_AAref_Val=ht…

A Parents Guide to Hearing Loss

Vermont Family Network

https://www.vermontfamilynetwork.org/get-support/

Vermont Family Network

Cued Speech Association of New England (NCSA)

https://cuedspeech.org/our-network/csane/

Cued Speech Association of New England (NCSA)

The Care Project (TCP)

https://www.thecareproject.com/

The Care Project (TCP)

Health Care Provider Registry

New Users: Please complete a Provider Confidentiality Agreement application. This can be submitted either by faxing to 802-951-1218 or emailed to [email protected]

New Users: Quick Reference Guide For Providers on how to use the application.

Password Management System Information and Access

The Vermont Department of Health uses a user-controlled password management system. This password management system was created to ensure system security and compliance with HIPAA regulations:

Participating in Password Management is required, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. Enrollment should take less than five minutes. Using the link below enter your email address used to create your account, an email will be sent to you with a link to reset your password. Click on the link in the email which will open the password reset screen where you enter new password twice and submit..

Password Management System

Password Management System Instructions and User Guide: