Georgia 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
Newborn hearing screening shall be conducted on no fewer than 95 percent of all newborn infants born in hospitals in this state.
Intervention
Every licensed or certified hospital and physician shall educate the parents of newborn infants born in such hospitals of the importance of screening the hearing of newborn infants and follow-up care.
Standards/Protocols
Standards and protocols are not addressed by laws/regulations.
Tracking/Reporting
Every licensed or permitted hospital shall report annually to the Department of Public Health concerning the following:
- The number of newborn infants born in the hospital;
- The number of newborn infants screened;
- The number of newborn infants who passed the screening, if administered; and
- The number of newborn infants who did not pass the screening, if administered.
School-Age Screening
Ages/Populations Screened
Each student entering the first grade in the public schools of this state and at such other times as such rules and regulations shall provide.
Who Can Screen
Who can screen is not addressed by laws/regulations.
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 parents shall be notified and advised to seek further professional attention for the child when indicated by the examination. The local Department of Health also shall be notified of the child's disability.
Resources
The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing screening requirements, visit these websites:
Newborn Screening Statute: Ga. Code. Ann §31-1-3.2
Georgia Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Initiative [PDF]
School-Age Screening Statute: Ga. Code Ann. §20-2-770
School-Age Screening Rules: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 290-5-31
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.