Legislation also covers screening babies delivered by midwives. Parents of these babies can have their children tested through a registry. Although Colorado's universal newborn screening legislation was signed in 1997, the majority of hospitals were not required to be compliant with the legislation until July 1 of last year. This goal was met on time, and by October it was surpassed, with almost all of the birthing hospitals in the state implementing newborn hearing screening. Because the state has surpassed its goal, the Colorado Academy of Audiology would like to achieve an even higher percentage.
Every baby is important.
In addition, Colorado is exploring reimbursement for children's hearing aids. We are still deciding whether or not we want to move forward with any kind of legislation. The process of finding additional funding from service organizations can delay the fitting by three or four months. Ohio Audiologists Back Legislation Constituents in Ohio have decided to pursue passage of universal hearing screening legislation. Screening legislation already has been introduced to the Ohio Legislature, reported Debra Abel, MA, past president of the Ohio Academy of Audiology.