2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 3:10 PM - 3:40 PM | Bridging the Gap: Birth Centers and Audiology Hearing Equipment Loaner Program | 306/307
Bridging the Gap: Birth Centers and Audiology Hearing Equipment Loaner Program
In 2023, approximately 4,367 of the 221,742 infants born in Florida were born at a licensed birth center or at home. State-level data indicates that a large portion of infants born outside of the hospital setting do not receive a hearing screen. Simultaneously, analysis was completed and gaps in access to diagnostic testing were identified in rural communities and regions with limited access to pediatric audiology follow-up services. Beginning July 1, 2024, Florida legislation requires licensed birthing centers to screen newborns for the detection of hearing loss, rather than refer infants for screening. To support implementation of the new requirements and increasing access to diagnostic testing, Florida EHDI leveraged resources to purchase hearing screening equipment for a long-term loaner program.
This presentation will detail program planning and implementation to loan hearing screening and diagnostic equipment to 20 birth centers and five audiologists in 18 of the 67 counties.
- Participants will be able to interpret data presented representing total births and gaps in infant hearing screening in Florida.
- Participants will be able to analyze the equipment purchase process, considering population and geographical needs as they relate to the choice of OAE vs ABR equipment.
- Participants will be able to detail the steps to create and implement a hearing equipment loaner program for birth centers and audiology clinics in Florida.
Presentation:
3545975_18235TerylCamus.pdf
Handouts:
3545975_18235TerylCamus.pdf
3545975_18235TerylCamus_2.pdf
3545975_18235TerylCamus_3.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Miranda Nerland
(), FL Dept of Health, Miranda.Nerland@flhealth.gov;
Miranda Nerland is the parent of a child with CHARGE syndrome and bilateral mixed hearing loss. Ms. Nerland provides parent-to-parent support and referrals to families of children with hearing differences and deafblindness and, as of January 2023, conducts follow-up for newborns diagnosed with CMV. Ms. Nerland also serves as the program lead for Florida's Children's Hearing Aid Program.
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.
Teryl Camus
(Co-Presenter), Florida Department of Health, Teryl.Camus@flhealth.gov;
Teryl Camus, AuD serves as the pediatric audiologist for the Florida Newborn Hearing Screening and EHDI Program. Prior to this role, Teryl served as the Audiology Supervisor for the Infant Screening Program at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Margaret Waterman
(Co-Presenter), Florida Department of Health , margaret.waterman@flhealth.gov;
Ms Waterman is a former elementary school educator. Her role with the Dept of Health is to provide technical assistance and training to hospitals and birth centers for newborn hearing screening.
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.