Delaware Hearing Screening Requirements for Newborns and School-Aged Children
The following information summarizes hearing screening programs for newborns and school-aged children.
This information has been collected by researching individual state statutes, regulations and policy documents, and by contacting each state. Please be advised that regulations and policy may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information.
Newborn Screening
Screening
Each hospital shall establish a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program. Each UNHS program shall provide a hearing screening test for every newborn born in the hospital, for identification of hearing loss, regardless of whether or not the newborn has known risk factors suggesting hearing loss.
Intervention
Each program shall inform the newborn's or infant's parents and primary care physician, if one is designated, of the results of the hearing screening test, or if the newborn or infant was not successfully tested. Whenever possible, such notification shall occur prior to discharge; if this is not possible, notification shall occur no later than 10 days following the date of testing. Notification shall include information regarding appropriate follow-up for a screening failure or a missed screening, and referral information for confirmatory testing. If a hearing screening test indicates the possibility of a significant hearing loss, the hospital shall ensure that the physician or other person attending the newborn or infant is made aware of the community resources available for confirmatory testing and process of referral to early intervention services.
Standards/Protocols
Each program shall:
- Develop screening protocols and select screening method or methods designed to detect newborns and infants with a significant hearing loss.
- Each program shall provide for appropriate training and monitoring of the performance of individuals responsible for performing hearing screening tests. These individuals shall be trained properly in:
- The performance of the tests,
- The risks of the tests, including psychological stress for the parent or parents,
- Infection control practices, and
- The general care and handling of newborns and infants in hospital settings.
- Perform the hearing testing prior to the newborn's discharge; provided, however, that if the newborn is expected to remain in the hospital for a prolonged period, testing shall be performed prior to the date on which the child attains the age of 3 months.
Tracking/Reporting
Each program shall develop and implement procedures for documenting the results of all hearing screening tests.
School-Age Screening
Ages/Populations Screened
Each public school student in kindergarten and in grades 2, 4, 7 and grades 9 or 10 shall receive a hearing screening by January 15 of each school year.
Screening shall also be provided to new enterers, students referred by a teacher or an administrator, and students considered for special education.
Who Can Screen
A school nurse
Training for Screeners
Training for screeners is not addressed by laws/regulations.
Type of Testing
Type of testing is not addressed by laws/regulations.
Equipment Standards
Equipment standards are not addressed by laws/regulations.
Follow-up Protocols & Documentation
The school nurse shall record the results on the Delaware School Health Record Form and shall notify the parent, guardian or Relative Caregiver or the student if 18 years or older, or an unaccompanied homeless youth if the student has a suspected problem.
Resources
The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing screening requirements, visit these websites:
Newborn Screening Statute: Del. Code Ann. tit.16 § 801A
School-Age Screening Statute: Del. Code Ann. tit.14 §815
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.