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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'The Michigan Midwives Collaborative Project: Guide for UNHS Program Implementation for Home Birthed Babies'
Track: 1 - EHDI Program Enhancement
Keyword(s): Midwives, Newborn Hearing Screening, Home-births, Training, Community Partnerships
Learning Objectives:
  1. explain in importance of including midwives in the newborn hearing screening process.
  2. describe the barriers that families of home-birthed babies experience when trying to obtain a newborn hearing screening.
  3. describe the content important for training midwives to complete newborn hearing screenings.

Abstract:

Although universal newborn hearing screening programs have been implemented in all 50 states, one population that is routinely under-served is the home-birth population. In the state of MI, about 1% of babies are born at home. After a multi-year concentrated effort by EHDI staff at Michigan Department of Community Health, only about 19% of babies born at home were receiving a newborn hearing screening. This rate remained stable for two years despite extensive educational and outreach programs to improve awareness and access to universal newborn hearing screening. Anecdotal evidence from parents and midwives showed that some of the barriers to receiving a screening were related to the ease of obtaining an appointment, location of screening centers relative to the families’ home, and resistance to bringing the baby to a medical facility. In response to these concerns, the authors partnered with Michigan Coalition for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind People (who were long-time newborn hearing screening advocates) and received grant funding to purchase 15 AABR units to distribute among the midwives around MI. Five training sessions were completed and a total of 47 midwives, doulas and midwifery students were taught how to complete and report the results of the hearing screening. Equipment is often shared between several midwives in regions of the state. This presentation will provide a guide for others interested in implementing a training program for midwives in their state. Also, lessons learned from this process, suggestions for helpful changes, and areas of future need will be discussed.
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PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Shannon Palmer - Co-Presenter,POC
Central Michigan University
     Credentials: Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A
      Shannon Palmer, AuD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University where she teaches courses related to pediatric audiology, diagnostic audiology, auditory processing, and cochlear implants. She received her AuD and her PhD from the University of Connecticut. Her current research studies include incorporating midwives into universal newborn hearing screening, evaluating temporal processing using electrophysiological measures, and music appreciation of individuals with cochlear implants. Dr. Palmer also works clinically completing behavioral and electrophysiological pediatric hearing assessments, adult diagnostic assessments, auditory processing evaluations, and cochlear implant mapping.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Nan Asher - Co-Presenter
Michigan EHDI
     Credentials: Masters of Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Hearing Assistive Technology
     Other Affiliations: Current Treasurer for the Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. Five-time Gubernatorial appointee for the Office of Civil Rights, Advisory Member of Michigan Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Consumer Representative for ASHA's Council for Clinical Specialty Recognition Board; Charter member of Hearing Loss Association of Ann Arbor; Professional member of MI Hands and Voices; HLA-MI,Hearing Technology Resource Specialist; Adapting to Hearing loss and Speech-reading teacher.
      Nan Asher was diagnosed with a bilateral hearing loss at age four and has one sibling with a profound hearing loss. She has worked in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing field for much of her professional career. As the Program Consultant for MI-EHDI, Nan has frequent contact with medical providers and parents, encouraging appropriate follow-up. Nan is a strong advocate for finding communication modes that work for each individual.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Wendy Switalski - Co-Presenter
Audiology Systems, Inc.
     Credentials: M.B.A., Au.D.
      Wendy Switalski, Au.D. is the audiology development manager at Audiology Systems Inc. Prior to joining the company, Dr. Switalski owned a private audiology practice in metro-Detroit and served as a consultant to Otometrics, a leading manufacturer of hearing and balance equipment. She currently provides quarterly audiology care for the South Pacific territory of American Samoa. Dr. Switalski holds a Masters degree in audiology from the University of Northern Colorado, an M.B.A. from Saginaw Valley State University, and a doctor of audiology degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry School of Audiology.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - Receives Salary,Ownership interest for Employment,Board membership,Ownership from Audiology Systems Inc..   Receives Salary for Other activities from University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies.  

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.