2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 10:05 AM - 11:05 AM | Audiology Outcomes and Follow-up Trends in Universal Newborn Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening in Minnesota | Clearwater
Audiology Outcomes and Follow-up Trends in Universal Newborn Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening in Minnesota
Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is a prevalent infection and the leading non-genetic cause of permanent hearing loss in children, making early identification and intervention important for better outcomes. In 2023, Minnesota became the first U.S. state to implement universal newborn screening for cCMV. Screening is conducted via dried blood spots, with confirmatory PCR testing recommended within the first 21 days of life if cytomegalovirus (CMV) is detected.
To ensure optimal outcomes, infants diagnosed with cCMV infection require frequent audiologic monitoring to detect emerging hearing loss or vestibular dysfunction, identify progression of existing hearing loss, and plan appropriate intervention. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends an initial diagnostic audiology assessment by 1 month of age or within 1 month of the confirmatory urine test, a second diagnostic audiology assessment between 4 to 5 months of age, and ongoing audiology evaluations through age 10.
Between February 2023 and August 2025, the observed prevalence of cCMV was 0.3% among Minnesota live births. This presentation will describe Minnesota’s coordinated short-term and long-term follow-up system for children with cCMV and hearing loss. It will include newborn hearing screening outcomes, diagnostic audiology assessments, adherence to audiology follow-up protocols, and a comparison of audiology follow-up timeliness between EHDI refer cases and cCMV cases.
We will also highlight cases that would have been missed by a hearing screening targeted approach, along with initial presenting signs and symptoms. Longitudinal follow-up for cCMV-positive infants with hearing loss, including multi-disciplinary partnerships, referrals to Early Intervention programs and parent support, will be outlined. Key indicators evaluated by MDH over time and the outcomes observed among infants diagnosed with cCMV with hearing loss will be summarized. These findings underscore the importance of universal screening and comprehensive follow-up in ensuring early identification, connection to services, and optimal developmental outcomes for affected infants.
- Summarize the statewide approach to universal CMV screening and the recommended audiology monitoring for infants/children with cCMV
- Review hearing outcomes, follow-up timeliness, and the impact of targeted versus universal screening on the detection of infants with cCMV
- Describe longitudinal follow-up of cCMV-positive infants diagnosed with a hearing loss, including intervention, and strategies to support long-term follow-up for children with cCMV
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Presenters/Authors
Amanda Pavan
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, amanda.pavan@state.mn.us;
Amanda is a Senior Epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Newborn Screening Program, focusing on critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) and early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI).
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Sara Lammert
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, sara.lammert@state.mn.us;
Sara is an epidemiologist, focusing on longitudinal follow-up of children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kirsten Coverstone
(Co-Author), MN Dept. of Health, Kirsten.Coverstone@state.mn.us ;
Dr. Kirsten Coverstone is an audiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Newborn Screening Program. As a coordinator of Minnesota’s EHDI program, Kirsten has worked at the local, state, and national levels to support best practice for universal newborn screening, timely & complete audiologic follow-up for hearing, and early access to intervention. In addition, Kirsten implemented the statewide hearing instrument loaner program for infants and young children in Minnesota. Universal screening, education, and follow-up for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) has been a longstanding aspiration as cCMV is the leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss and is intricately related to EHDI. She serves as current Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH), & Co-Chair of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) EHDI Data Committee.
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Lexie Barber
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, lexie.barber@state.mn.us;
Lexie is an epidemiologist, working on longitudinal follow-up for children with newborn screening conditions.
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Darcia Dierking
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, darcia.dierking@state.mn.us;
Darcia Dierking, Au.D. holds pediatric audiology specialty certification and has more than 20 years of clinical and research experience working with both children and adults. Dr. Dierking works with the Minnesota Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program as an EHDI Coordinator doing longitudinal follow-up for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
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Melanie Wege
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health - Newborn Screening Program, melanie.wege@state.mn.us;
Melanie Wege is a board certified audiologist who joined the Minnesota EHDI Team after 17 years as a clinical audiologist with a primary interest in pediatric diagnosis and follow-up. Her focus with the Minnesota EHDI Team is to provide education, support, and ongoing quality system improvement strategies to all providers involved with infant hearing screening and follow-up through diagnosis.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Annikka Strong
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health-Public Health Lab, Newborn Screening, Annikka.Strong@state.mn.us;
Annikka Strong, serves as a Health Program Representative for Minnesota Department of Health, Newborn Screening focusing on EHDI program follow-up
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Gina Liverseed
(Co-Author), Minnesota Department of Health, gina.liverseed@state.mn.us;
Gina Liverseed is the CMV Nurse Specialist in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs section at the Minnesota Department of Health. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating the longitudinal follow-up of children identified with congenital CMV and providing education about CMV to public and provider audiences. She holds Bachelor and Master of Nursing degrees from the University Minnesota and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of North Dakota. Gina has over 20 years of experience working as a maternal-child health nurse and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She has a special interest in perinatal infectious disease.
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