2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:05 AM - 10:35 AM | How Utah EHDI obtained 0% Loss To Follow-up | 301
How Utah EHDI obtained 0% Loss To Follow-up
Utah EHDI has obtained 0% Loss to Follow up (LTFU) for the last 3 consecutive years. During this presentation, the Utah EHDI Follow-up Coordinator will dive into the methods used to obtain this unbelievable undertaking. Tips and tricks of communication techniques and methods used with families will be detailed. In addition, discussion will include the amazing relationships that have been built across the state with midwives, local health departments, American Indian Tribes, the School for the Deaf, school districts, early interventions programs, hospitals, providers and clinics. Not only has LTFU decreased statewide, but Utah EHDI has embraced increasing out of hospital births over the last several years and used multiple successful methods and resources to ensure these families have access to newborn hearing screenings. You will be able to walk away with ideas to try in your own state/jurisdiction to improve your follow-up, too!
- Identify at least one new method of reducing Loss to Follow-up
- Summarize communication tips which will prompt parents to reply to your follow-up efforts
- Describe methods used to collaborate with midwives and other partners to increase newborn hearing screenings
Presentation:
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Transcripts:
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Presenters/Authors
Stephanie Browning McVicar
(Co-Presenter), Utah Department of Health and Human Services, smcvicar@utah.gov;
Dr. Stephanie Browning McVicar is the Director of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, the Children’s Hearing Aid Program, and the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Public Health Initiative in Utah. She works for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services' Children with Special Health Care Needs Office in Salt Lake City. Dr. McVicar is a pediatric audiologist, an advocate for CMV testing in newborns, and passionate about the prevention of congenital CMV infection. She was instrumental in the creation of the Utah EHDI tele-audiology program. She is originally from Western New York and has extensive experience and knowledge in Audiology and the management of health care programs in both the public and private sectors.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Holley Ezzell
(Primary Presenter), Utah Department of Health and Human Services, EHDI, hezzell@utah.gov;
Holley Ezzell, BA, is the Follow-Up Coordinator for Utah's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. She contacts families who need an initial newborn hearing screening, follow-up hearing screening or diagnostic testing as mandated by Utah requirements. She is the state’s midwife liaison and works closely with all midwives to ensure they are providing hearing screening and resources to their families. Holley works with many providers across the state to help provide resources to families that need hearing services. She collects data and tracks the growing number of homebirths. Holley is a parent of a deaf son which helps her in communicating with families to understand the importance of early hearing detection and intervention. Holley obtained her BA in Psychology with a focus in mental health from Southern New Hampshire University. Holley’s career interests are to provide families with information about speech and language development and the importance of timely follow-up.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.