Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)

Overview
How Common is Hearing Loss?
State and Local EHDI teams
Ear Infections and Hearing Loss
How to get help for a child
Websites

Overview
A statewide program to increase identification and intervention for young children with hearing loss.

Hearing loss places young children at significant risk for delays in the areas of communication, learning, social-emotional development and literacy. When hearing loss is detected early and appropriate early intervention services are begun, outcomes for children improve.

Since 1998, state and regional EHDI teams have worked to increase early identification of hearing loss in very young children and to promote early intervention services for infants and toddlers with a hearing loss.

It is the goal of Minnesota's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Project that all children receive:

Screening for hearing loss by 1 month of age.
Evaluation by an audiologist by 3 months of age.
Intervention by 6 months of age.

• Approximately 1 of every 1000 babies is born deaf.
• Based on national prevalence, it is estimated that 4 babies are born per week with hearing loss in Minnesota
• Approximately 3-5 of every 1000 children have a mild, moderate, or unilateral hearing loss
• 90% of deaf and hard of hearing babies are born to hearing parents.