2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Advancing the Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention System Infrastructure for Language Outcomes in Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Advancing the Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention System Infrastructure for Language Outcomes in Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
The Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program works with providers to ensure timely identification and referrals to intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). While the primary focus is early screening, diagnosis, and intervention, there is growing recognition that EHDI programs should additionally focus efforts on the improvement of language acquisition outcomes. This poster will highlight the Tennessee EHDI approach to identifying current measurements of language acquisition outcomes for children who are DHH. Two key projects will be outlined: the development of a statewide language assessment survey and the collection of language outcomes at age three (3) for DHH children who were enrolled in Part C early intervention.
The language assessment survey was created to collect information about the tools used in Tennessee by speech and hearing professionals to track language development in DHH children. Survey responses provided insight into the variability of assessment practices, identified gaps in follow-up procedures, and provided recommendations for future measurements of language outcomes. Additionally, outcome data from Part C early intervention were collected to evaluate how DHH children were meeting language developmental milestones. Together, these efforts provide a baseline for TN EHDI regarding statewide language outcomes for DHH children and help understand what education and support TN EHDI could provide to professionals.
This poster presentation will include details on the process used to develop these projects, including partner engagement, survey design, collaboration with early intervention providers, data collection procedures, and challenges. Findings from these projects highlight the importance of understanding assessment practices and systematically collecting outcome data to ensure that EHDI systems can make informed decisions in working with providers and early intervention programs moving forward. Additionally, these projects demonstrate how statewide collaboration can enhance the EHDI system beyond identification, ultimately supporting better outcomes for DHH children.
- Describe the importance of collecting language acquisition outcomes in children who are deaf or hard of hearing as part of a comprehensive EHDI system of care.
- Identify current approaches and tools used in Tennessee to assess language development in children up to age three (3).
- Examine findings from a statewide survey on language assessments used with deaf or hard of hearing children.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Holli Allen
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), Department of Health, Holli.N.Allen@tn.gov;
Holli Allen, B.A. is the Program Director for the Tennessee Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. Her professional experience includes care coordination for families with special health care needs and federal grant management. Holli holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a graduate certification in Health Care Management from East Tennessee State University.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Tennessee Department of Health.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Tennessee Department of Health.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Katie Overby
(Co-Presenter), Department of Health, katie.c.overby@tn.gov;
Dr. Katie Overby is a seasoned educator with a background in Deaf and Special Education. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, and holds earlier degrees in Deaf Education and Special Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. Currently, she serves as a Deaf Educator with the Tennessee Department of Health, where she supports the Newborn Screening Follow-Up Program. Her other experience includes working in both self-contained and itinerant teaching roles across public school settings.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Department of Health.
Nature: None.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.