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VISION

The Maine Newborn Hearing Program assures that all Maine infants will be offered newborn hearing screenings and appropriate follow-up when identified with hearing impairment.

MISSION

Hearing loss is one of the most treatable conditions an infant can have.  Without newborn hearing screening, many infants are not identified with hearing impairment until important speech and language milestones are significantly delayed.  with early identification of a hearing impairment, services can be provided in time to allow for introduction of communication options and can prevent or mitigate disabling conditions associated with the late development of fluent language and communication skills.

Hearing loss is one of the most common problems an infant can have.  Based on national data and given Maine's birth rate of approximately 13,500 per year, 135 to 405 infants will require tracking with an expectation that up to 4 infants per year would be identified with significant hearing impairment.

Maine law established the Maine Newborn Hearing Program in 2000.  The law authorizes the program to assure that all families, caregivers and their children have information and access to newborn hearing screenings.  Additionally, the law authorizes the program to establish a surveillance and tracking system of all hearing impaired children.  The Maine Newborn Hearing Program will accomplish this through the following activities:

Provide information regarding the importance of newborn hearing screenings and of receiving appropriate follow-up care to families, caregivers and their children at all Maine Hospitals and Birthing Centers

Establish a universal newborn hearing screening system at all Maine Hospitals and Birthing Centers

Collaborate with the University of Maine, Orono in development and implementation of a data system for tracking and surveillance of hearing impaired children.

Integrate the data system with other existing MCH databases.

Collaborate with other state and private agencies in planning and implementing a comprehensive referral system for developmentally appropriate services for hearing impaired children.

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