Physician Information Arkansas Department of Health

Physician Information

Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital disorders. The CDC reports, 90% of infants born with hearing loss have two hearing parents. Ensure your patient’s care is right on time by coordinating care that is family centered and ensuring services are provided allowing the child to achieve their maximum potential. Always remember 1,3,6:

Hearing screening no later than 1 month of age.
- Review results and risk factors. Schedule diagnostic audiologic evaluations if the baby does not pass the hearing screening.
Diagnostic audiologic evaluation no later than 3 months of age.
- If a diagnosis is confirmed, provide appropriate medical referrals, provide information about communication options and refer to early intervention services.
Early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.
- Services beginning no later than six months of age provide improved communication outcomes. Communicate with family about ongoing audiology services.

A Special Note to Physicians

Follow-Up is Key

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health, the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) endorse universal newborn hearing screening before hospital discharge, diagnostic evaluation by three months of age, and initiation of appropriate intervention services by six months of age. When one of your patients receives a negative hearing screening result, we urge you to follow up with families to ensure they get a diagnostic evaluation and intervention services if needed.

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Arkansas Department of Health

Physician Information

Community, Family & Child Health