“Go!—Starting a screening program

The number of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programs both in the U.S. and worldwide is growing dramatically. As the quantity of newborns who are screened for hearing loss increases, it is important that the quality of the programs being developed also be addressed. Recent position statements from organizations supportive of UNHS and early hearing loss and intervention (EHDI) programs have included benchmarks and quality indicators to assist in monitoring UNHS and EHDI programs and to ensure that infants and their families receive appropriate services. To reach these benchmarks, it is necessary that the professionals involved in establishing and implementing a UNHS program understand both the impact that the choices made prior to initiating screening have on the program’s ultimate success and also the interdependence of these choices. Options having substantial impact on a program’s efficiency and effectiveness include hearing screening technology, protocol, and procedures. Each of these UNHS components is summarized below.