DATE: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 1 PM ET
SPEAKER: Marlene Bagatto (on behalf of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force), Assistant Professor School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, National Centre for Audiology, Western University
Abstract:
Early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs are available worldwide to proactively address hearing health in infants and children. Along with universal hearing screening of newborns, a comprehensive and effective EHDI program also includes a complete hearing assessment to confirm the presence or absence of permanent hearing loss, intervention services including technology and language development, family support as well as monitoring and evaluation of the program using a database. Without all five components, access to timely and high-quality hearing health services for infants cannot be achieved. During this presentation, the results of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force’s most recent Report Card describing the status of EHDI programs across Canada will be shared. Data were gathered through a country-wide survey which will be described. Results from this work revealed that, although there has been some improvement in certain provinces and territories, Canada continues to remain insufficient in offering comprehensive, accessible, and sustainable EHDI programs. Continued action from Canada’s governments in addition to federal policy leadership is needed to achieve sufficient and sustainable EHDI programs.
Learning Objectives
Participants to this presentation will be able to:
- Describe the components of a comprehensive EHDI program.
- Explain the status of EHDI programs across Canada.
- Discuss actions to improve access to infant hearing health services in provinces/territories.
SPEAKER BIO: Marlene Bagatto (on behalf of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force), Assistant Professor School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, National Centre for Audiology, Western University
Marlene Bagatto is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the National Centre for Audiology at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. The research in her Pediatric Audiology Strategies and Systems Laboratory focusses on policy and practice integration for infant and child hearing. Dr. Bagatto is a consultant for early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs in several Canadian provinces to develop and implement protocols for various components of infant hearing health care. Dr. Bagatto is Past President of the Canadian Academy of Audiology, Past Chair of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force, and the 2023 recipient of the Marion Downs Award in Pediatric Audiology from the American Academy of Audiology.
