What is EHDI-PALS?

 

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention–Pediatric Audiology Links to Services (EHDI-PALS) Directory is a web-based system to help parents, hospital personnel, and physicians find pediatric audiology facilities that will meet an individual child’s needs. The EHDI-PALS Directory will include facilities that employ licensed audiologists and have the appropriate equipment to serve children less than five years of age. 

Key Features:

  • Standardized survey for audiology facilities to self-report evaluation procedures, hearing aid and cochlear implant services, referral procedures, accessibility, payment options and pediatric caseload
  • The survey reflects current best practice in pediatric audiology
  • Facility profiles that users can look up using a search engine
  • An on line “Smart Tool” designed for consumers to identify audiology facilities with the capacity to meet the audiological needs of a child
  • State EHDI Coordinators, or designated directory administrator, may review and manage the facility information gathered for their state
  • Standardized survey, designed according to best practice standards, collects detailed information from pediatric audiology facilities regarding their websites and services.
  • Facility “profiles” are generated by the EHDI-PALS algorithm. Only services that meet current standard of care are included.
  • Map of facilities with needed services is generated based on information provided by parents.
  • Automatic update reminders are sent to facilities annually—keeping the EHDI-PALS Directory current! Facilities that fail to renew are dropped.
  • Valuable parent education resources and links are provided.
  • Helpful tools for state EHDI programs will be developed in 2013.

Where are we now?

  • Facilities have been registering since November. As of 1-4-2013, we have 466 facilities registered permanently in EHDI-PALS
  • Working to increase the number of facilities registered. Urge any audiologists you know who provide services for children to fill out the survey and get registered at http://www.ehdipals.org
  • Parent Resource page has been updated with many Questions/Answers that will help Parents get an idea of the kinds of things to ask.
    http://www.ehdi-pals.org/ParentResources/EP_Tips_Parents.aspx
  • “Go live” is planned during 2013 EHDI Meeting in Arizona. Come and see our presentation scheduled for 16 April 9:40-10:10, Cascade F

The EHDI PALS Advisory Group is composed of consumers/parents and pediatric audiologists, as well as representatives from:

  • American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
  • Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies (DSHPSHWA)
  • Hands & Voices (H&V)
  • Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH)
  • National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM)
  • Center for Research and Evaluation, University of Maine
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
  • Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)

For more information or questions, please contact Vicki Hunting at vicki.hunting@handsandvoices.org or Winnie Chung at wchung@cdc.gov.   

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