History of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program in Pennsylvania

The Infant Hearing Education, Assessment, Reporting and Referral (IHEARR) Act, also known at Act 89, was passed in 2001 to require universal newborn hearing screening for all babies born in Pennsylvania. As part of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Newborn Hearing Screening Program was created to assure that all infants:
 
• receive a hearing screening test within one month of birth to determine possible hearing loss;
• receive diagnostic testing by 3 months of age to determine the type and degree of hearing loss;
• receive prescribed treatment or intervention services by 6 months of age
 
Birth facilities report hearing screening test results to the Newborn Hearing Screening Program. Infants who do not pass their hearing screening test are followed-up and tracked by Newborn Hearing Screening Program staff to assure that appropriate assessment and evaluation is completed in a timely fashion. Audiologists report results of diagnostic evaluations to the Newborn Hearing Screening Program so that staff can assure that infants receive prescribed treatment and intervention in a timely fashion as well. Children identified as being at risk of delayed onset hearing loss receive continued monitoring as appropriate.
 
As part of Act 89, the Infant Hearing Screening Advisory Committee was established to advise and oversee the activities of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program. The committee is made up of 2 physicians, 2 pediatric audiologists, and 2 members of the deaf/hard of hearing community and/or parents of children who are deaf/hard of hearing. Each committee member is appointed by the Secretary of Health and serves a 2 year term. Meetings are held quarterly.