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The family of the newborn infant is to
receive the hospital birth packet, routinely available to all birthing
facilities by the Bureau for Public Health, Division of Surveillance and
Disease Control, Immunization Program.
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All newborns, born in the State of West
Virginia, must be screened for possible hearing loss, as required in
H.B.
2388.
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Screening is to be performed, using
either Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) or Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs), following the equipment manufacturer’s guidelines, by
personnel appropriately trained.
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Screening must be performed in both
ears and recorded in the medical record and on the
Birth Score
Developmental Risk Screen.
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If unable to screen the baby before
discharge, the infant must be referred for a non-hospital-administered
hearing screening test. Responsibility for the referral rests with the
primary care provider, in collaboration with the local Right From The
Start agency.
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If the newborn does not pass the
initial Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) screening test, a second Otoacoustic
Emissions (OAEs) or an initial Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test should be
attempted prior to hospital discharge. For an Auditory Brainstem Response
(ABR) screening, one test is
sufficient.
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All screening test results should be
reported to parents, guardians, and primary care provider prior to the
infant’s discharge.
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If an infant fails the initial and
second screening tests in one or both ears, the parents and the primary
care provider should be advised. Arrangements for diagnostic testing
should be made by the primary care provider or other designated staff as
soon as possible. Right From The Start personnel will be contacted to
offer assistance with this process. The Bureau for Public Health will be
following all cases requiring diagnostic testing, to assure that families
with children who are experiencing hearing loss are linked to appropriate
community-based services.
Basic Assumption
- There will be infants with normal
hearing who do not pass the screening.
- There will be infants who pass the
screening test but do have a hearing loss.
- Diagnostic testing will identify the
infants with hearing impairment.
Note: |
Project Policy will be shared with hospitals, primary care providers,
Right From The Start personnel, etc. |
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