Improved Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-up Results in More Infants Identified

In Brief Longitudinal research suggests that efforts at the national, state, and local levels are leading to improved follow-up and data reporting. Data now support the assumption that the number of deaf or hard-of-hearing infants identified through newborn hearing screening increases with a reduction in the number of infants lost to follow-up. Documenting the receipt of services has made a noticeable impact on reducing lost to follow-up rates and early identification of infants with hearing loss; however, continued improvement and monitoring of services are still needed. This study analyzes data to determine the association between the number of infants reported as lost to follow-up (LFU)/documentation in 2005-2011 and the number of infants deaf or hard of hearing identified during the same period. Documenting the receipt of services has made an impact on reducing LFU rates and early identification of infants with hearing loss; however, continued improvement and monitoring of services are still needed.