2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 11:25 AM - 11:55 AM | Statewide OAE Trainings for Early Intervention Evaluations | 320
Statewide OAE Trainings for Early Intervention Evaluations
Our profession understands the importance of OAE screenings, and all 50 states have legislation or established programs requiring newborn hearing screening. However, there is no comprehensive, centralized dataset that lists how many states mandate in-person OAE screenings for early intervention evaluations.
During COVID, Colorado pivoted, like most states, and did what we could to continue hearing and vision screenings for early intervention evaluations. That pivot was the H.E.A.R checklist, used online. While many of us appreciate that checklist in a time of need, a paper screening is subjective, based on parent or caregiver observation, often fails to identify unilateral or mild hearing difference, identifies RISK for hearing difference, and is not considered diagnostic.
With changes in Colorado for how evaluations are conducted, through evaluation entities instead of local early intervention programs, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind engaged in contract work with our Part C program to provide in person trainings to evaluation entities to provide hands on education and practice for using an OAE to provide in person diagnostic OAE screenings on children receiving an early intervention evaluation.
CSDB contracted with a pediatric audiologist who is highly skilled at OAE screenings, a parent from another state to share her story and experience with late identified hearing difference and the importance of objective screening in early intervention, and a colleague in AZ with a passion and desire to initiate the same trainings in her state.
Together, we educate, inform, train, and advocate for best practice in OAE screening in early intervention evaluations.
- Participants will learn about the benefit OAE trainings for professionals as part of Early Intervention Evaluations
- Participants will understand understand the importance of the varying roles of the presenters in this training
- Participants will be able to consider and create a similar partnership with Part C in their state to support early intervention evaluation in person screenings
Presentation:
3545975_18218AshleyRenslow.pdf
Handouts:
3545975_18218AshleyRenslow.pptx
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Ashley Renslow
(Primary Presenter), Colorado EHDI, Arenslow@csdb.org;
Ashley Renslow is the Early Education Coordinator with Outreach Programs at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. In her role, she coordinates the Colorado Home Inclusion Program for DHH Children (CHIP),the Early Literacy Development Initiative. She also oversees the on campus preschool programs. A speech language pathologist by background, she has worked in Deaf residential Schools for 15 years in varying roles, and has served local families as a CHIP facilitator (0-3 early interventionist). Outside of work, when she's not chasing her 1st grader and preschooler, Ashley enjoys being outside, traveling, and lounging with a good book.
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.
Sonia Samaniego
(Co-Presenter), Arizona Department of Health Services | Bureau of Women's and CHildren's Health, sonia.samaniego@azdhs.gov;
Sonia Samaniego serves as the Education and Advocacy Program Manager for the Office for Children with Special Healthcare Needs. She has served in a number of roles advocating for families of children with Sensory needs along with efforts to improve Early Childhood Screening and Sensory Training Programs within her state. Mrs. Samaniego continues to educate and increase awareness for hearing screenings within her community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Valerie Abbott
(Co-Presenter), Padapillo PBLLC, valeriejamesabbott@gmail.com;
Valerie James Abbott is a parent-advocate, an award-winning author, and an EHDI-champion who has served as past-chair of the Virginia EHDI Advisory Committee. She works for the Infant and Toddler Connection in Richmond, VA - supporting the needs of families of children with developmental delays and disabilities. She has served on the board of Virginia Hands & Voices and is co-founder of the National Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Campaign. Valerie has published several articles online and in print about raising a child with a disability that have gained nationwide attention. Her children’s book Padapillo received a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and is based on the true story of how her family discovered and came to terms with their daughter's late onset hearing loss.
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.
Dawn O'Brien-Taylor
(Co-Author), Northstar Audiology, dobt18@gmail.com;
Dr. O'Brien is a board-certified pediatric audiology. She has a passion for newborn hearing screening and diagnostic follow-up. This is evident in her work with Midwives in Colorado. She owns NorthStar Audiology (northstaraudiology.com), a private practice in Colorado Springs. She has been working with local midwives to assist with developing a program where families who had their babies at home can also receive a newborn hearing screening in the comfort of their own homes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -