Wyoming EHDI

Newborn Hearing Screenings

Detecting hearing loss as early as possible is very important.  It is strongly recommended that all infants receive a hearing screening prior to being discharged from the hospital at the time of their birth.  In some states, including Wyoming, it is mandated that these screenings take place unless the parent(s) object to or waive the screening.

If a hearing loss is left undetected in an infant, it can negatively impact speech and language acquisition, academic achievement, and social and emotional development. If the hearing loss is detected and an early intervention plan is developed and followed, these negative impacts can be diminished and even eliminated. 

Studies have shown that children who are identified with hearing loss and placed into appropriate early intervention before they are six months of age are more likely to enter school with age appropriate skills than those children who are identified after six months of age.