17th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 18-20, 2018 • Denver, CO
3/20/2018 | 11:00 AM - 11:25 AM | EHDI at a Global Level: Lessons Learned and Where Do We Go From Here? | Granite A-C
EHDI at a Global Level: Lessons Learned and Where Do We Go From Here?
The World Health Organization estimates that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of 750 billion international dollars. Many countries have developed Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs with great success, such as the United States, which currently screens more than 98% of all newborns. Unfortunately, the burden of hearing loss is still greatest in low-middle income countries, most of which do not have screening programs. Although many of the challenges faced by low-middle income countries are distinct from those in high income countries, the lessons we learned over the last twenty plus years of establishing screening programs can, and should be, applied to improve access to EHDI world-wide. Additionally, current models used to provide humanitarian services in low-middle income countries can bring us “back to the basics” and broaden our perspective on extending services to underserved populations in the U.S. In Nebraska, we have found that our rural population has higher loss to follow-up, as well as extended time to diagnosis and intervention (Smejdir, 2016). Multiple studies have found that distance is a barrier in other parts of the the U.S. and the world (Moeller, White, & Shisler, 2006; Korres, et.al, 2005; Holte, et. al, 2012; Todd, 2006). Applying a humanitarian perspective (low-cost technology, tele-health services, and novel funding) may help us address these gaps in the U.S. as well as reduce the global burden of hearing loss.
- Compare and contrast EHDI in different parts of the world
- Describe how the lessons learned in the U.S. and other high income countries can extend services and improve outcomes in low-middle income countries.
- Identify how humanitarian efforts in low-middle income countries can provide us with a different perspective of how to deliver services to underserved populations in the U.S.
Presentation:
15805_7881HannahDitmars.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Stacie Ray
(), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sray2@unl.edu;
Dr. Ray is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska. She provides audiology services and teaches student who are pursuing their Doctorate Degree in Audiology. She co-teaches the Humanitarian Audiology course at UNL which includes providing services to individuals in Nicaragua. She is the administrator of the Hearing Aid Banks of Nebraska. Her commitment to ensure children have accessibility to amplification, led her to establish the Nebraska Children's Hearing Aid Bank: HearU Nebraska in 2007 and HearU International in 2015. She is on the Board of the Nebraska Commission for the Hard of Hearing and a Member of the Nebraska EHDI Advisory Committee. Her passion for providing services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing stems from her experience raising a deaf son.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Receives Other financial benefit for Other activities from Nebraska EHDI.
Receives Grants for Other activities from HearU Nebraska has received awards from Nebraska EHDI.
Receives Grants for Other activities from HearU Nebraska has received awards from Nebraska EHDI.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Hannah Ditmars
(), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, hditmars2@unl.edu;
Dr. Hannah Ditmars is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She provides clinical audiology services to individuals of all ages including infants. Dr. Ditmars teaches graduate students, both in the clinic and classroom, who are pursuing their Doctorate Degree in Audiology. She instructs the Auditory Electrophysiology course and co-teaches the Humanitarian Audiology course, which includes study abroad and provision of audiology services to individuals in Nicaragua.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.