SIGNED INTO LAW: Senator Hassan and Colleagues’ Bipartisan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Legislation

WASHINGTON – The President signed into law the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation from Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH). The law will reauthorize current research and improve public health programs for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns, infants, and young children for five additional years.

“All children deserve the same opportunities to grow and thrive, but children can face long-term challenges if they experience hearing problems that go undetected early on in life,” said Senator Hassan. “Through early detection and intervention for hearing loss, children and their families can better get the care that they need. I am glad the President signed this bipartisan bill into law, and I will continue working to ensure that all children have the support that they need to thrive.”

The bipartisan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act reauthorizes current research and public health activities related to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns and infants. Specifically, this legislation:

• Authorizes development of programs for hearing screening of newborns, infants, and young children;
• Authorizes prompt evaluation and diagnosis of children referred from screening programs;
• Provides for educational, audiological, and medical interventions for children confirmed to be deaf or hard-of-hearing;
• Allows education and medical models to ensure that newborns, infants, and young children who are identified through hearing screening receive follow up by qualified early intervention providers, qualified health care providers, or pediatric medical homes; and
• Continues research and development for early hearing detection and intervention, including development of technologies and clinical studies of screening methods.

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