2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:55 PM | Meeting Family Needs in the First Months After HL identification: First Lesson for EI | 315/316
Meeting Family Needs in the First Months After HL identification: First Lesson for EI
Research indicates that early identification, fitting of hearing technology and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for infants and young children identified as deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH).
According to CDC 2021 U.S. data, 32.4% of babies who failed the newborn hearing screening were lost to follow-up and consequently did not receive a timely diagnosis. Furthermore, 39.2% of babies identified with hearing loss were not enrolled in early intervention services by 6 months. This means a significant number of babies are not meeting the EHDI 1-3-6 benchmarks. These delays mean babies who are D/HH and their families are not getting the early support they need.
The hearing healthcare community, including EHDI and other organizations, continues to identify viable solutions to early identification and timely enrollment in early intervention for language acquisition. The Oberkotter Foundation, through a new strategic plan, seeks to contribute in this endeavor.
Following their child’s diagnosis, families seek information, support, and strategies for meeting developmental milestones. Hearing First created an online tool, the “LSL First Lessons”, to equip families of newly diagnosed babies and to empower them to support their child’s development at home.
This session, for families and professionals, will provide an overview of the sequence and content of the overall lessons. We will explore how, using an adult learning model, families can learn, practice and reflect, similar to an early intervention session. Components of these sequential lessons will be explored including; use and maintenance of hearing technology, facilitating meaningful parent-child interactions, using early LSL strategies and techniques, and integrating developmentally appropriate activities in routines.
Together, this session will explore one solution for families as they are getting started on their LSL journey.
- Describe the adult learning model used in the LSL First Lessons
- List 3 foundational concepts outlined in the LSL First Lessons
- Describe 3 ways families can benefit from the knowledge provided by an online sequence of lessons
Presentation:
3545975_18275TeresaCaraway.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Teresa Caraway
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Oberkotter Foundation , tcaraway@oberkotterfoundation.org;
Teresa H. Caraway, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, CEO of the Oberkotter-Foundation and Hearing First, supports families and professionals on the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) journey through advancing science and innovation, raising awareness, increasing access and education and coordinated hearing health care. With more than 35 years experience in Auditory-Verbal practice, consulting, and presenting, Dr. Caraway thrives on leading change in knowledge, skills, and systems so that individuals with hearing loss can reach their full auditory potential. Dr. Caraway has served as the Founding CEO of Hearing First, Founding President of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language and Co-Founder and Executive Co-Director of Hearts for Hearing. She served on the Board of Auditory-Verbal International and was a founding board member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Oberkotter Foundation.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Oberkotter Foundation, Hearing First.
Nature: None.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Marge Edwards
(Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Hearing First, medwards@hearingfirst.org;
Marge Edwards, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Programs Leader of Hearing First, an educational endeavor of the Oberkotter Foundation. As a parent of two successful children with hearing loss and practicing as a Listening and Spoken Language specialist, Marge knows firsthand what is possible for children born with hearing loss today when families receive appropriate support. Marge has provided early intervention services to families and has offered professional training for the delivery of telepractice services to families of children with hearing loss. Marge is dedicated to assuring families of all children with hearing loss have the support they need to help their children reach their full potential.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Hearing First.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Hearing First.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Tamara Elder
(Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Hearing First , telder@hearingfirst.org;
Tamara Elder, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, is Director, Learning Programs with Hearing First, an educational endeavor of the Oberkotter Foundation. Ms. Elder has more than 25 years of experience in providing family centered listening and spoken language services for infants, toddlers, and children with hearing loss working within a multi-disciplinary team approach. She is passionate about today’s opportunities for all families of children with hearing loss to listen and talk. She is a member of AG Bell, American Cochlear Implant Alliance, and the Oklahoma Association for Infant Mental Health.
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.