2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL

3/11/2025 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM | Improving EHDI Diagnostic Outcomes through Inter-agency Collaboration | 304/305

Improving EHDI Diagnostic Outcomes through Inter-agency Collaboration

In this presentation, we will describe successful strategies used to develop a relationship between the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to improve the screening and diagnostic steps in the GA EHDI process. We will detail the steps necessary to overcome obstacles in working between governmental agencies to meet shared goals. It became apparent to both agencies that Georgia was falling behind in meeting the three-month benchmark for diagnostic hearing evaluations.In 2022, only 23.1% of babies received their diagnostic hearing evaluation before 3 months of age. Research is clear that D/HH children who meet the 1-3-6 benchmarks achieve language and literacy outcomes like their typical hearing peers. Both agencies recognized the need for improved processes to achieve timely reporting of newborn hearing screening (NBHS) results, better follow-up recommendations after failed NBHS, equipment specific training for hospitals and health departments, and increased access to diagnostic evaluations in rural areas of the state. It was evident that making progress in Georgia was going to require a group effort across agencies in the EHDI process. With these shared goals in mind, a partnership was established between GA DPH and GaDOE’s Georgia Mobile Audiology program, to better meet the needs of the D/HH community across the state. Since working together, we have developed online training modules, an online map of statewide pediatric audiology resources, remote training sessions for hospitals and health departments, statewide in-person competency checkoffs, and diagnostic tele-clinics across rural areas of the state. Since the partnership between agencies formed, we have worked synchronously to improve the diagnostic process. Our shared goal is for all D/HH children to achieve age-appropriate language and literacy outcomes by the third grade. We believe that collaboration between state agencies in Georgia can improve our ability to meet EHDI 1-3-6 goals.

The participant will be able to describe strategies for initiating a partnership between two state governmental agencies (i.e., DOE and DPH)
The participant will be able to identify at least three different areas for collaboration between state agencies to improve D/HH outcomes and to improve prompt access to audiological care across a large geographical region.
The participant will be able to identify potential obstacles for collaboration between state agencies.

Presentation:
3545975_18129NicoleStreet.pdf

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference

Presenters/Authors

Nicole Street (Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Georgia Department of Education - Georgia Mobile Audiology, nicole.street@doe.k12.ga.us;
Nicole Street is a pediatric audiologist in Georgia. Currently, she works with Georgia Mobile Audiology, a division of the Georgia Department of Education, where she focuses on the early identification of hearing loss in children. Through this program, Nicole and her colleagues aim to ensure that deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children achieve grade-level literacy by the third grade. Prior to her work with Georgia Mobile Audiology, Nicole was part of the pediatric audiology team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she developed a strong passion for infant diagnostic testing. Her primary interests include auditory brainstem response testing, newborn hearing screening training, and early intervention. Nicole is a member of the American Academy of Audiology and is American Board of Audiology Certified. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, and their two cats, enjoying family time, running, and reading.