Department of Health | Newborn Screening & Genetic Services

Newborn Hearing Screening & Follow-Up

Find a Pediatric Hearing Health Care Provider

New Jersey Pediatric Hearing Health Care Directory

For School Aged Children with Hearing Loss

The Department of Education in New Jersey has an office that addresses hearing loss specifically in preschool and school-age children.

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Hearing Loss in Children

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Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Congenital Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is the most common viral infection, and the leading non-genetic cause of hearing loss, that infants are born with in the United States. Every pregnant woman is at risk of acquiring CMV. And only 9% of women know about it.

New Jersey Legislation

Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn Hearing Screening Brochure.

Children begin learning speech and language in the first few months of life. Children with hearing loss who get help early develop better language skills than those who don’t. The earlier you know about a child’s hearing loss, the sooner you can begin strategies that will help him or her learn to successfully communicate.

If you would like to learn more about newborn hearing screening or if you have been told your baby needs another hearing test, please click on the link below for more information.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)

EHDI is a national public health initiative that supports the '1-3-6' Guidelines: screening every newborn for hearing loss prior to one month of age, completing diagnostic audiologic evaluation prior to three months of age for infants that do not pass their hearing screening, and early intervention enrollment by no later than six months of age for children diagnosed with hearing loss.

In 2002, New Jersey passed a law requiring hearing screening for all newborns. The New Jersey EHDI program offers technical support to hospitals on their newborn hearing screening and follow-up programs. New Jersey EHDI tracks the number of infants screened and how many children are identified with hearing loss in a timely manner. New Jersey EHDI works with health care providers, local and state agencies that serve children with hearing loss, and families to ensure that infants and toddlers receive timely hearing screening and diagnostic testing, appropriate habilitation services, and enrollment in intervention programs designed to meet the needs of children with newly identified hearing loss.

Why Should My Baby’s Hearing be Screened?

Most babies can hear well at birth, but a few do not.
We screen all babies to find the ones who may have a hearing loss.
It is important to find a hearing loss as soon as possible. Babies whose hearing loss is not found early, will have a hard time learning. If we find hearing loss early, there are many ways we can help your baby.
Hearing screening is safe and painless and can usually be done is less than 15 minutes (Most babies sleep right through it!)
You will get your babies hearing screening results and, if needed, any recommendations for follow-up before you leave the hospital.

Nice to Meet You

This positive and informative video introduces parents to a diverse group of young Deaf and hard of hearing students and young adults, who enthusiastically share their first-hand experiences and wisdom as they answer questions on what it is like to grow up with a hearing loss.

Contact Your Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Team:

Department of Health

Pamela Aasen, B.Ed., D.A.U.S., M.Ed., EHDI Coordinator
Nancy Schneider, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA, EHDI Audiologist
Antionnett Conely, Health Data Specialist Apprentice
Tracey Hayes, EHDI Clerk

Department of Health
PO Box 364
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Voice: (609) 292-5676
Fax: (609) 633-7820

EHDI Team: EHDI@doh.nj.gov