Marshalls Newborn Hearing Screening Project
Project Description:
This project is assisting the Republic of the Marshall Islands establish a nation-wide newborn hearing screening program. Public information activities have included the provision of public information and awareness to the hospital staff, public health personnel, and the general public. Nurses have been trained to provide the hearing screening. A data base was established and screening has begun. An audiological test booth was designed. Continuing technical assistance is being provided to get the booth installed and audiological equipment ordered. In addition to consultation services by a pediatric audiologist, a deaf educator was recruited to visit the Marshalls to assess the status of services for infants and toddlers who are identified with a hearing loss. The project collaborated with Gallaudet University to support two summer trainees in the Marshalls. The obvious benefit will be to identify infants with a hearing loss and provide intervention services. It is a great challenge to accomplish this on a remote, rural island without infrastructure and services.
Problem. The Republic of the Marshall Islands initiated universal newborn hearing screening in May of 2010. During the first three-year grant, insurmountable administrative problems were encountered. Following that experience, the Secretary of Health asked the Center on Disability Studies to apply as its de facto agent. The program is now meeting its goals and objectives.
Goals and Objectives. The following are the goals and objectives for the proposed grant.
1. Support, improve, and enhance the newborn hearing screening program to meet the 1-3-6 goals.
1.1 Support the newborn screening and rescreening to meet the one-month goal.
1.2 Provide regular diagnostic services to meet the three-month goal.
1.3 Continue to enhance early intervention services to meet the six-month goal.
1.4 Utilize the QI Model for Improvement to further improve and enhance the program.
2. Reduce loss (delay) to follow-up at all stages of process to ensure all babies receive services.
2.1 Identify operable options for follow-up of babies on other atolls.
2.2 Recruit an outreach person to reach unidentified infants and toddlers.
3. Strengthen family engagement, partnership, and leadership.
3.1 Provide engagement and learning opportunities for infants and families to be co-taught by an early intervention parent educator and a deaf mentor teacher.
3.2 Support monthly parent meetings.
3.3 Work with regional resources to build capacity for parents and family organizations.
3.4 Encourage development of local parent leadership.
Methodology. Dedicated local staff have been hired to implement the project with management support and technical assistance from the University of Hawai'i. Specialized diagnostic and other related services will be contracted to provide services on a regular basis. Professional development opportunities will be utilized to expand local expertise for sustainability. The Marshallese Champions for EHDI will be utilized to enhance community support for the program and to identify needs and resources for other children with special needs.
Keyword(s):
Newborn hearing screening, audiological services
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Geographic Area - Other, Specific Groups, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
