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Programs & Services

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program coordinates hearing screening, diagnostic and intervention service for Alberta newborns.

Alberta's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program is a provincial screening program that identifies permanent hearing loss as early as possible in a baby's life. This ensures that babies and families receive timely follow-up and support sooner to optimize developmental outcomes.

Services include:

  • Screening babies for hearing loss by 1 month of age
  • Diagnosing permanent hearing loss by 3 months of age
  • Ensuring access to intervention by 6 months of age

For more information, visit our website

Contact Details

Barrhead Community Health Services

Address
6203 49 Street
Barrhead, Alberta
T7N 1A1
Telephone
(780) 674-3408
Fax
(780) 674-3941
Hours of Operation
Days of the Week

Monday
8:30 am - 4:45 pm

Thursday
8:30 am - 4:45 pm

Note

Hearing screening available by appointment only.
Access
Service Providers May Include
audiologists, early intervention providers, hearing screeners, registered nurses (RNs), physicians, speech language pathologists
Eligibility

All babies born in Alberta, or born to parents living in Alberta are eligible for screening within 90 days of birth. But it's best for babies to be screened within 30 days of birth.

Additional eligibility requirements exist based on the baby's age and health status. Infants born with bilateral aural atresia or presenting with meningitis are not eligible for screening. These infants are referred directly to audiology services, by the EHDI Hearing Screener for a diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) assessment.

Service Access

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral information.

This service is provided as an inpatient service on all NICUs as well as many postpartum units. Screening is also provided as an outpatient services, by appointment at community-based screening sites.

  • Doctor referral is not required for newborn hearing screening within 90 days of birth
  • If a parent is concerned about their baby’s hearing after 90 days of birth, a referral should be made, by their health care provider, to the nearest AHS (or Covenant Health) audiology service site
  • Babies who pass with risk factors will be referred by the EHDI Program for a follow-up hearing test in 6 to 8 months

Wait Times

Appointments booked upon request.

Service Languages
Interpreter/Translation services
Partners

Partners/affiliations

Alberta Health

Service Locations
Also Known As
Acronym
EHDI
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Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program