For Families
Most parents assume their infant can hear, “I love you,” Along with all the wonderful sounds that fill a child’s life such as music, crackle of leaves, the whispers of a caring relative or pet noises. However, there are a number of children that cannot hear these sounds. Did you know approximately 95 percent of babies with a hearing loss are born to hearing parents and over 50 percent of babies born with hearing loss have no known risk factors for hearing loss? Of the over 39,000 babies born in Iowa each year, approximately 100 will be diagnosed with a hearing loss shortly after birth. Another 2 to 3 percent will be diagnosed with late onset hearing loss. Due to the development of speech and language in the earliest months of life, follow-up testing is important. If a hearing loss is detected early, much can be done by families with the support of their team to encourage language development.
This page was inspired by parents for parents as a guide to learn more about newborn hearing screening, diagnosis of hearing loss in a child and resources available to help your child and family. No matter where you and your family are in the detection process, you are supported by a whole community working to make sure your child receives the care that is right for them.
*All parent quotes have been taken from The Book of Choice, L. Seaver, 2010
“Due to excellent EHDI and early intervention services, we were able to learn things when we were ready and when the time was right for our family.” – Amanda, Ikaika’s mom
Take a look at the English Parent Fact Sheet or Spanish Parent Fact Sheet (Hoja Informativa) for an overview of the hearing screening process.
There is a whole community here to help
Timely screening, diagnosis and early intervention will result in the best outcomes for your child. Early intervention can help to prevent delays in communication and language learning. For assistance, contact the Iowa Family Support Network at (888) 425-4371.
There are many misconceptions about hearing loss. Learn some of the most common and why they are not true.
Adjusting to hearing loss in your family can be an overwhelming process. There are a number of organizations available to not only help your child, but your entire family. It can also be helpful to connect with families who have already been on this journey. Learn more about one family's journey- Trevor's Story.
There are a variety of different communication options to fit your child's needs and lifestyle. Consult this page to learn more about the options available and connect with resources to help you make communication decisions.
Coverage for costs associated with hearing loss vary from person to person depending on their insurance provider. If insurance only covers some of the cost, there are opportunities for assistance. Talking to your insurance provider is a good place to start.
There are people advocating with and for those with hearing loss both locally and nationally. Explore the variety of communities and resources available.
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