2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-Up: A Telehealth Model for Rural Tennessee
Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-Up: A Telehealth Model for Rural Tennessee
Introduction: Early identification and intervention are crucial for spoken language development in children with hearing loss. With universal newborn hearing screenings (NBHS), 98% of infants are screened at birth. However, some infants are lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) after a failed hearing screening. In Tennessee, the current LTFU rate is 34%, which might be attributed to challenges faced gaining access to services. Most of Tennessee is rural, leaving many patients far from pediatric audiology centers. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to: 1) identify a county in Tennessee that could benefit from teleaudiology; 2) set up a remote spoke-and-hub NBHS program including screening and diagnostics; and 3) pilot the remote NBHS program.
Methods: Factors considered when selecting a county included LTFU rates and proximity to pediatric audiology services. The VUMC telehealth team advised on site selection and setup. The Vanderbilt Center for Women’s Health in rural Lawrence County was chosen as the target site. Referrals came from community physicians, midwives, and hospital screening programs. The target population consisted of babies up to six months old needing an initial NBHS or a re-screen, or those who failed their NBHS and needed full diagnostic testing. All testing was conducted using auditory brainstem response (ABR) methodology in accordance with VUMC protocols and completed via telehealth. After the appointment concluded, parents completed a satisfaction questionnaire.
Results: Sixteen babies were seen. Fifteen passed the remote hearing screening and needed no additional testing. One baby failed and underwent full diagnostic evaluation (tone-burst ABR, otoacoustic emissions, and tympanograms), which identified bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Families saved time and money because of the convenience of this clinic and expressed satisfaction with these services.
Conclusion: Teleaudiology—specifically NBHS follow-up via ABR—is feasible and valuable in this rural area. The clinic improved appointment access, reduced travel burden, and helped address the high LTFU rate.
- The participant will be able to describe barriers that families might face in following up after a failed newborn hearing screening.
- The participant will be able to identify key factors involved in implementing a remote newborn hearing screening program, including site selection, patient referral pathways, and necessary equipment.
- The participant will be able to summarize the impact of teleaudiology on access to care and health equity in rural populations.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Jennifer Hoffman
(Primary Presenter), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, jahoffman22@gmail.com;
Jennifer Hoffman is a fourth-year Doctor of Audiology student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on the Pediatric Hearing Loss Specialty Track. She is currently completing her externship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she also participates in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The Ohio State University. She is actively involved in the Student Academy of Audiology and previously conducted research in the Cochlear Implant Laboratory at Vanderbilt and the Speech Recognition and Aging Laboratory at Ohio State. Her clinical interests include pediatric audiology, hearing aids, electrophysiology, vestibular sciences, and telehealth.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Vanderbilt University
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Nature: Student Employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Anne Marie Tharpe
(Author,Co-Author), Vanderbilt University, anne.m.tharpe@vanderbilt.edu;
Dr. Tharpe is Professor, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville Tennessee. The primary research emphasis in her laboratory has been in furthering our understanding of the developmental impact of hearing loss on young children, including children with minimal bilateral or unilateral hearing loss or developmental differences. This work has examined questions indices of listening effort and fatigue, and academic outcomes. Her recent work has focused on the impact of hearing technology interventions on caregiver and child behavior and classroom and home listening behaviors by those with hearing loss and those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She also has directed interdisciplinary training grants for almost 30 years focused on infants and young children with hearing loss and infants and young children with ASD. Dr. Tharpe has published extensively in national and international professional journals, has published numerous books and book chapters, and has presented to over 350 audiences around the world on issues related to childhood hearing and hearing loss.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Brittany Day
(Author,Co-Author), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, brittany.day@vumc.org;
Brittany Day is director of Mama Lere Childhood Hearing Programs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, overseeing educational, audiology, and speech services for children with hearing differences across middle Tennessee. She previously directed the inpatient pediatric audiology program at VUMC and was the Tennessee EHDI program audiology consultant. Her clinical interests include early hearing detection and intervention and audiologic diagnosis for medically complex children. Brittany recently completed a Master of Public Health degree in Healthcare Management.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -