The Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI)
program is dedicated to ensuring that deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH)
newborns and young children are identified early and receive intervention
services.
National standards call for hearing screening no later than one
month of age, a diagnosis no later than three months of age for infants not
passing the screening, and enrollment in intervention no later than six months
of age for children identified as D/HH. This is known as the 1-3-6 Plan. When
left undetected, hearing loss can delay
speech, language, social, and emotional development in children
TEHDI Program’s Role in Hearing Screening
- Provides a system and technical
assistance to licensed birth facilities and other hearing services providers
under the statute.
- Hosts a web-based system for
reporting and tracking newborn hearing information known as the Texas Early
Hearing Detection and Intervention management information system (TEHDI MIS).
- Certifies birth facilities and
monitors certification standards for newborn hearing screening programs.
- Ensures that newborns who are
diagnosed as Deaf or hard of hearing receive follow-up and intervention
services.
Legislative Information
The TEHDI Program was
established in 1999 through the passage of House Bill 714 and was implemented
in Texas birth facilities with the Department of State Health Services as the
oversight agency.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 47 ensures all babies born in Texas receive a hearing
screening, proper intervention, and referrals to services if suspected or
diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing.
Texas Administrative Code provides the rules followed by DSHS to implement the newborn
hearing screening program.
Consent is not required to perform a newborn
hearing screen. However, a family may decline
the screen. The Texas Health and Human Services executive
commissioner, in collaboration with DSHS, developed a form to document a
parent's decision to decline the newborn hearing screening. It is recommended
that the refusal is captured in writing.