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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Improving Audiology Access for Families' Track: 2 - Audiological Services Keyword(s): NICHQ, Audiology Access Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives 1. Gain knowledge on the importance of timely entrance into audiology assessment 2. Identify opportunities to decrease the appointment wait time for infant assessments. 3. Identify effective testing techniques to obtain confirmation of hearing loss at the first diagnostic appointment. Abstract: Improving Audiology Access for Families Track: Audiological Assessment and Intervention Authors: Sandra Gabbard, Ph.D.1, Vickie Thomson, Ph.D.2 Affiliations: 1) Marion Downs Hearing Center 2) EHDI Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Presenters: Sandra Gabbard, Vickie Thomson Colorado has very few audiologists with the expertise and equipment to provide infant assessments. As a result audiology practices can have a two month waiting period for a new family to obtain a diagnostic evaluation. This delay results in increased parent anxiety and result in a delayed diagnosis past the recommended three months. This delay also potentially will require sedation due to the infant’s age. The National Initative for Child Health Quality (NICHQ) has been offering monthly discussions on Advanced Audiology Access. This provides clinical audiologists and state EHDI coordinators the opportunities to identify solutions and best practices to decrease the delay for evaluation while still providing quality care to the family. The presenters will discuss the various interventions that have been tried to improve audiology access for families from the clinical perspective and the state EHDI program perspective. Key Words: NICHQ, Audiology Access Contact Information: Vickie Thomson Vickie.Thomson@state.co.us 303-692-2458 Presentation: This presentation has not yet been uploaded or the speaker has opted not to make the presentation available online. Handouts: Handout is not Available
PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Sandra Gabbard - Co-Presenter Marion Downs Hearing Center      Credentials: Ph.D., Director of Audiology      Other Affiliations: University of Colorado       Dr. Gabbard has served as Director of Audiology at the University of Colorado Hospital for 25 years. She is the chair of the Audiology task force for the Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory and is the PI of the Colorado LEND Project.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial - Vickie Thomson - POC,Co-Presenter University of Colorado      Credentials: PhD       Vickie Thomson, PhD, served at the Director of the Colorado Newborn Hearing Program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment from 1991 to 2012. She received her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1978 and her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2007. As a clinical audiologist Vickie started one of the first infant hearing programs at Boulder Community Hospital. She has provided technical assistance in developing screening programs in Colorado and in other states and countries. She has written numerous articles on the importance of early identification and intervention of hearing loss in infants. She currently is the principle investigator if the HRSA EHDI grant and is a consultant to the National Center on Hearing Assessment and Management.       ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -