2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | A Hearing Journey: Parent & Audiologist Perspective | City Terrace 7
A Hearing Journey: Parent & Audiologist Perspective
Joint committee on infant hearing and EHDI with associated professionals strive for early screening, diagnosis, and intervention of permanent hearing loss to support whatever communication approach families/caregivers decide for their child. Mild/minimal hearing loss continues to be a gray area for patients, families, and even amongst audiologists. Muñoz (2019) reports “parent often experience uncertainty about the effect of the hearing loss on their child and have doubts about the benefits of intervention, including use of hearing aids. Children with mild bilateral/unilateral hearing loss are at risk for delays in development, and parent uncertainty can interfere with their engagement in intervention”. Additionally, audiologists may not be consistent on when they recommend devices for mild/minimal hearing loss.
Recent literature from McCreery (2020) sheds insight on recommending amplification when unaided speech intelligibility index (SII) is less than or equal to 80 for 65 dBSPL for one or both ears. This has been a helpful resource in creating a standard clinical practice to guide in recommending amplification for mild/minimal hearing losses. However, what should audiologists recommend for cases that are not clear cut, such as when the SII is better than 80 for one or both ears? Also, what if the case is your own child?
This audiologist will share her perspectives as a parent navigating the first 18 months of life with her child who has a hearing difference and how this has impacted her clinical practice moving forward. The topics discussed will range from: timing of diagnosis, the language we use around hearing differences/why that matters and identifying when cases are not clear cut (“working in the gray”).
McCreery et al. (2020). Audibility-Based Hearing aid Fitting Criteria for children with mild bilateral hearing loss.
Muñoz (2019). Engaging Parents of Children with Mild Bilateral or Unilateral Hearing Loss: Counseling Considerations.
- The participant will be able to list possible challenges with timing of diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing.
- The participant will be able to list guidance of when to fit mild/minimal hearing loss.
- The participant will be able to identify possible challenges with genetic testing.
Presentation:
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Presenters/Authors
Lauren Alexander
(Primary Presenter), Children's Hospital Colorado, lauren.alexander@childrenscolorado.org;
Lauren is a pediatric audiologist at Children's Hospital Colorado and serves patients birth to 21 years of age in the Rocky Mountain region. She is also the amplification co-team lead for the audiology department.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO).
Nature: employee at CHCO.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.