Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting newborns and children. Early identification and timely intervention are critical to prevent delays in speech and language development and to optimize communication ability, educational outcomes, and quality of life. Pediatric hearing loss may also be associated with underlying medical conditions that require appropriate evaluation, management, and counseling.
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs operate in all U.S. states with the goal of identifying infants with hearing loss as early as possible and ensuring access to appropriate intervention no later than 3–6 months of age. Successful implementation of EHDI programs requires coordinated, multidisciplinary care involving audiologists, speech-language pathologists with expertise in hearing loss, and otolaryngologists, who are essential in assessing the medical implications of hearing loss and providing indicated medical and surgical interventions.
The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) is a multidisciplinary body representing multiple professional organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and has issued evidence-based Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention since the 1970s. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery recognizes these Guidelines as an important resource for birthing facilities, state screening and surveillance programs, early intervention services, and healthcare professionals involved in the care of children with hearing loss.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery supports the principles and recommendations outlined in the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Guidelines and endorses their use to promote timely identification, comprehensive evaluation, and appropriate intervention for infants and children with hearing loss.1
Reference
- Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs. The Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, 2019; 4(2): 1–44. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1104&context=jehdi
Reviewed: February 2026
Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.
