What is EHDI-PALS?

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention–Pediatric Audiology Links to Services (EHDI-PALS) Directory is a web-based system to help parents, hospital personnel, and physicians find pediatric audiology facilities that will meet an individual child’s needs. The EHDI-PALS Directory will include facilities that employ licensed audiologists and have the appropriate equipment to serve children less than five years of age.

Key Features:

Standardized survey for audiology facilities to self-report evaluation procedures, hearing aid and cochlear implant services, referral procedures, accessibility, payment options and pediatric caseload
The survey reflects current best practice in pediatric audiology
Facility profiles that users can look up using a search engine
An on line “Smart Tool” designed for consumers to identify audiology facilities with the capacity to meet the audiological needs of a child
State EHDI Coordinators, or designated directory administrator, may review and manage the facility information gathered for their state
Standardized survey, designed according to best practice standards, collects detailed information from pediatric audiology facilities regarding their websites and services.
Facility “profiles” are generated by the EHDI-PALS algorithm. Only services that meet current standard of care are included.
Map of facilities with needed services is generated based on information provided by parents.
Automatic update reminders are sent to facilities annually—keeping the EHDI-PALS Directory current! Facilities that fail to renew are dropped.
Valuable parent education resources and links are provided.
Helpful tools for state EHDI programs will be developed in 2013.

Where are we now?

Facilities have been registering since November. As of 1-4-2013, we have 466 facilities registered permanently in EHDI-PALS
Working to increase the number of facilities registered. Urge any audiologists you know who provide services for children to fill out the survey and get registered at http://www.ehdipals.org
Parent Resource page has been updated with many Questions/Answers that will help Parents get an idea of the kinds of things to ask.
http://www.ehdi-pals.org/ParentResources/EP_Tips_Parents.aspx
“Go live” is planned during 2013 EHDI Meeting in Arizona. Come and see our presentation scheduled for 16 April 9:40-10:10, Cascade F

The EHDI PALS Advisory Group is composed of consumers/parents and pediatric audiologists, as well as representatives from:

American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Directors of Speech and Hearing Programs in State Health and Welfare Agencies (DSHPSHWA)
Hands & Voices (H&V)
Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH)
National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM)
Center for Research and Evaluation, University of Maine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)

For more information or questions, please contact Vicki Hunting at vicki.hunting@handsandvoices.org or Winnie Chung at wchung@cdc.gov.