Service Providers ’ Perceptions of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Training Needs

Abstract: Following the initial implementation of universal newborn hearing screening initiatives cur-rently required by law in most states, there is a need to move beyond the hospital follow-up to the delivery of services and support for children identified with hearing loss. A cadre of trained providers is needed to deliver these services. In order to provide training to professionals from varied backgrounds and disciplines expediently, one state provided training in a multidisciplinary context. Such an approach encourages broader follow-up, consistency across providers, and an enhanced multidisciplinary perspective for fostering collaboration across public and private providers. Results of trainees ’ self-assessments of their level of pre-paredness on specific objectives prior to and after eight training sessions are reported in this article. Sig-nificant increases were evident in participants ’ reported knowledge of and perceived ability to implement identified objectives. Qualitative results illustrated that participants gained knowledge of intervention strategies and techniques and expressed a desire for further training in this area. Anumber of states have adopted laws forimplementation of universal newborn hearing screening and intervention initiative