Kentucky 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

All hospitals offering obstetric services and alternative birthing centers with at least forty (40) births per year shall provide an auditory screening for all infants.

Intervention

An auditory screening report that indicates a finding of potential hearing loss shall be forwarded by the hospital or alternative birthing center within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt to the:

• Attending physician or health care provider;
• Parents;
• Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs for evaluation or referral for further evaluation; and
• Audiological assessment and diagnostic center approved by the commission if a follow-up assessment has been scheduled prior to the infant's discharge from the hospital.

Standards/Protocols

Auditory screenings shall include at least one (1) of the following physiological tests:

• auditory brainstem response (ABR);
• automated auditory brainstem response (AABR); or
• otoacoustic emissions (OAE)

Tracking/Reporting

Auditory screening reports shall:

• Document the results of physiological tests conducted;
• Document the presence of any risk factors; and
• Be submitted via the KY-CHILD electronic information system.

School-Age Screening

Ages/Populations Screened

• The local boards of education require a preventative health care examination of each child within one year prior to the child's initial admission to school.
• A second examination is required within one year prior to entry into the sixth grade.
• A third examination may be required by policy of the local board of education within one year prior to entry into the ninth grade.

Who Can Screen

A preventative health care examination shall be performed and signed for by a physician, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, a physician's assistant, or by a health care provider in the early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment programs.

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

All children with abnormal screening results must be referred for appropriate diagnosis and treatment and follow-up on these referrals. Local referral and follow-up procedures shall include:

• Notification of parents of students who need further evaluation by a physician;
• Tracking referrals to determine whether all children with abnormal screening results receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment; and
• Reporting of data on screening, referral, and follow-up tracking to the Department of Education.

Resources

The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing screening requirements, visit these websites:

Newborn Screening Statute: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §216.2970 [PDF]

Newborn Screening Regulations: 911 Ky. Admin. Regs 1:085

School-Age Screening Regulations: 704 Ky. Admin. Regs 4:020

Health Services Reference Guide [PDF]

Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.