2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
DUKE ENERGY CONVENTION CENTER
3/07/2023 | 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM | We've Come a Long Way Baby! A Mother's Thoughts and Reflections on EHDI Then and Now | DECC 233
We've Come a Long Way Baby! A Mother's Thoughts and Reflections on EHDI Then and Now
All too often, it is easy to overlook the tremendous progress and momentous gains that have been made in the EHDI Program. Having a personal perspective as a mom of two children with Usher’s Syndrome, registered nurse, parent outreach coordinator with the EHDI Program and Outreach Teacher of the Blind and Low Vision, I bring a unique perspective to the EHDI Program.
When my second son referred on his newborn hearing screen program, I was unknowingly thrust and initiated into the unknown world of EHDI in 2007. A third child strengthened this liaison when she too referred on her hearing screen in 2010.
Using hindsight to examine the path my family and I have journeyed; this presentation will illuminate the incredible growth that has occurred in the EHDI program over the last 15 years. Through this lens, I will discuss and celebrate the obstacles conquered and those still on the horizon.
This presentation will discuss screening progress, follow up to diagnosis, hearing aid technology, hearing technology retention, hearing aid legislation and coverage, genetic referral, early intervention options and support groups and the explosion of literature featuring characters that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind.
Participants will leave this presentation feeling illuminated and inspired by the barriers broken and goals achieved when as Margaret Mead so eloquently stated “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Participants will compare the key differences in screening, diagnosis, hearing instrument retention and intervention from 2007 and 2023.
- Participants will identify the myriad of support groups available to families of children who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.
- Participants will examine the genre of current literature available to youth who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind.
Presentation:
3420032_15676AndreaAmestoy.pdf
Handouts:
3420032_15676AndreaAmestoy.pptx
Transcripts:
3420032_15676AndreaAmestoy.docx
Presenters/Authors
Andrea Amestoy
(), Idaho Sound Beginnings and Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind, amestoya@dhw.idaho.gov;
Andrea has worked as a pediatric and NICU registered nurse and currently teaches birth and parenting classes. In addition, she has worked for the school district as a teacher/registered nurse in the Health Professions Program.
She graduated cum Laude in 2000 with a BS in Health Science and an AS in nursing. Andrea has been the parent outreach consultant for Idaho Sound Beginnings for the past 15 years. She began soon after her second child was diagnosed with hearing loss at 4 weeks of age. She assists the program with the development of educational materials, marketing and promotion, calling parents of babies who referred on their newborn hearing screen or are diagnosed with a hearing loss. She also offers the dual perspectives of a parent and a medical professional.
Andrea is the parent of 3 children, 2 diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type IIc. She completed her Master's in Special Education with a teaching certificate for a teacher of the visually impaired through Texas Tech University. Andrea is also a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS). She has worked the past 7 years as an outreach teacher of the blind and low vision for children ages 0-3 and their families for Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind. She partners with the Early Intervention Program in Idaho to serve these families and their children.
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.