Improving the quality of early hearing detection and intervention services through physician outreach

Physicians and other health-care providers should play a central role in helping families of children with permanent hearing loss receive timely and appropriate screening, diagnostic, and early intervention services. Because the technology and procedures for ensuring timely and appropriate services for infants and young children with hearing loss have changed so dramatically over the past 15 years, many health-care providers are not well informed about the best ways to provide effective services. Audiologists can help to ensure that physicians and other health-care providers are better informed about the services needed by infants and young children with hearing loss. This article notes some of the areas where information and support is most needed and suggests resources and strategies for addressing these needs.