2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Interprofessional education for more interdisciplinary collaboration in EHDI systems
Interprofessional education for more interdisciplinary collaboration in EHDI systems
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) systems rely on a network of professionals working across various disciplines to ensure the timely identification and support of deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns and infants. Yet, fragmentated practices and limited cross-sector engagement can hinder system efficiency and outcomes for children with hearing loss. Interprofessional education (IPE) fosters interdisciplinary collaboration within EHDI systems, enhancing collective problem-solving, communication, and respect for varied professional perspectives.
Interprofessional collaboration involves professionals from distinct fields working together with shared goals, while interdisciplinary collaboration emphasizes the integration and overlapping of scientific knowledge across disciplines. Both approaches are essential in EHDI systems, where audiologists (Doctor of Audiology), speech-language pathologists (Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology), and public health professionals (Master of Public Health) must navigate complex care environments and policy landscapes.
Using a systems thinking framework, integrating IPE into workforce development strengthens professional connections and promotes shared responsibility. IPE equips professionals with the tools to collaborate across boundaries to navigate complex care environments and advocate effectively for children and families. Core principles of interprofessional collaboration, such as mutual respect, role clarity, and effective communication, illustrate how coordinated care improves outcomes. Examples of successful collaboration include coordinated newborn hearing screenings, family-centered care planning, and unified policy advocacy efforts. These initiatives demonstrate how interprofessional approaches enhance workforce cohesion, improve service delivery, and support sustainable EHDI program enhancement. By embracing IPE, EHDI systems can evolve into more responsive, inclusive, and effective networks that better serve children with hearing loss and their families.
- Poster session participants will be able to list at least three types of professionals who contribute to the EHDI system.
- Poster session participants will be able to provide examples of how effective interprofessional education strengthens EHDI systems.
- Poster session participants will be able to describe how applying interdisciplinary collaboration principles enhances outcomes in EHDI programs.
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Presenters/Authors
Teciah Spotted Tail
(Author), University of South Dakota, Teciah.SpottedTail@coyotes.usd.edu ;
Teciah Spotted Tail is a Master of Public Health Student at the University of South Dakota. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Augustana University in 2023. She currently serves as a graduate student worker for the South Dakota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Michelle Soukup
(Author,Co-Author), University of South Dakota, Michelle.Soukup@coyotes.usd.edu ;
Michelle Soukup is a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathologist student at the University of South Dakota, where she received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2024. She currently serves as a graduate research assistant for the South Dakota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Hannah Lingle
(Co-Author), University of South Dakota, Hannah.Lingle@coyotes.usd.edu ;
Hannah Lingle is a third year Doctor of Audiology student at the University of South Dakota. She currently serves as a graduate research assistant for the South Dakota Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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• Receives Other financial benefit for Other activities from SD EHDI/HRSA grant.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Financial relationship with EHDI/HRSA GRANT
AAP EHDI PEC Advisory Group.
Nature: EHDI/HRSA Grant
AAP EHDI PEC Advisory Group.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Liz DeVelder
(Co-Author), University of South Dakota, Liz.DeVelder@usd.edu ;
Liz DeVelder is the Language Specialist for the South Dakota EHDI Collaborative. She is a Speech Language Pathologist with the University of South Dakota.
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Coral Dirks
(Co-Author), University of South Dakota, coral.dirks@usd.edu;
Coral Dirks is an assistant professor at the University of South Dakota. She completed her AuD and PhD in Speech Language Hearing Sciences at the University of Minnesota in 2017 and 2020, respectively. She worked as a research audiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD from 2020-2022 working on projects related to cochlear implants and auditory fitness for duty. She joined the University of South Dakota in Fall 2022 where she teaches audiology graduate students, works as an adult and pediatric cochlear implant audiologist, and performs research on spatial hearing and early hearing loss detection and intervention.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Shelby Hintze Jepperson
(Author,Co-Author), University of South Dakota, Shelby.Jepperson@usd.edu;
Shelby Hintze Jepperson currently serves as an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of South Dakota's School of Health Sciences, Master of Public Health program. She holds a Master of Public Health degree, is certified in public health, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Health Sciences. She has worked on South Dakota EHDI projects as part of the SD EHDI Collaborative since 2017 and currently serves as the Project Director of the HRSA EHDI grant for South Dakota.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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• Receives Grants for Other activities from US HHS HRSA.
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Financial relationship with .
Nature: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided financial support for this work as an award totaling $235,000. The contents are those of the author(s), they may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.