Oklahoma 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
Every infant born shall be screened for the detection of congenital or acquired hearing loss prior to discharge from the facility where the infant was born.
Intervention
The hospital personnel, audiologist, or primary care physician involved in the screening of a newborn will provide the parents with appropriate resource information to allow them to receive the medical, audiologic, and other follow-up services as necessary.
Standards/Protocols
The physiologic screening will include the use of at least one of the following:
- Auditory Brainstem Response Testing (ABR);
- Otoacoustic Emissions Testing (OAE);
- Any new or improved techniques deemed appropriate for use in hearing screening procedures by the Commissioner of Health.
Tracking/Reporting
The hospital personnel, audiologist, or primary care physician involved in the initial Hearing Screening Procedure of a newborn will forward results to the Oklahoma State Department of Health in a manner and time frame deemed appropriate by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will utilize a tracking system to track infants identified at risk for hearing loss for a period up to one year in order to assure appropriate follow-up care.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will compile and report data collected from hearing screening procedures at least annually and will share such information as directed by the Commissioner of Health.
School-Age Screening
Oklahoma laws/regulations do not require school-age hearing screenings, however, the Department of Health has issued guidelines.
Ages/Populations Screened
Guidelines indicate:
- Children should be screened at any time concern is expressed regarding ability to hear.
- Children three years of age through grade three should be screened annually.
- Children in grade 4 and above should be screened minimally at three year intervals (grades 6, 9, and 12).
- Children who are "at risk" in grade 4 and above should be screened annually.
Who Can Screen
Guidelines indicate:
Hearing screening programs should be conducted or supervised by a certified audiologist. Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and nurses by training are qualified to provide hearing screening.
Training for Screeners
Guidelines indicate:
After appropriate instruction, other professional staff and non-professional support personnel may provide hearing screening. These individuals must be supervised with their supervision preferably provided by an audiologist.
Type of Testing
Guidelines indicate:
The recommended equipment used to screen children age three and above is the pure tone audiometer.
Equipment Standards
Guidelines indicate:
Each audiometer must be serviced and calibrated yearly.
Follow-up Protocols & Documentation
Guidelines indicate:
If the child does not pass the screening, he should be rescreened prior to referral. Ideally, rescreening should be performed within the same screening session, but at least within a two week period. If a second screening is not passed, the child should be referred to the appropriate health professional for further evaluation.
Caregivers of children who do not pass the hearing screening must be informed of the results. Notification should be in writing. Telephone notification may be appropriate provided that written confirmation follows.
Resources
The information contained herein was collected and summarized annually. For detailed information on hearing screening requirements, visit these websites:
Newborn Screening Statute: Okla. Stat. tit. 63 §1-543 [PDF]
Newborn Screening Regulations: Okla. Admin. Code §540-1-1 [PDF]
Guidelines: A School Hearing Screening Program [PDF]
Questions regarding this document? Call ASHA at 800-498-2071 and ask for the State Advocacy Team.