Newborn hearing screening is one of the first steps to set a child on a path for success. Over 97% of newborns in the US are screened for hearing loss, but many children do not receive the recommended follow-up diagnostic and intervention services outlined in the American Academy of Pediatrics' Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) 1-3-6 guidelines. According to the EHDI 1-3-6 guidelines, a child should receive:

• A hearing screening no later than 1 month of age;

• A diagnosis no later than 3 months of age; and

• Entry into early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.

Without these important steps, early identification is not possible and a child may fall behind in communication, reading, or social-emotional development, which could lead to lower educational or employment achievements later in life. Deaf and hard-of-hearing children included in a recent study published in Pediatrics who were diagnosed and enrolled in intervention in accordance with the 1-3-6 guidelines had better vocabularies than those who did not receive these services on time. More than 40% of children included in the study did not receive the diagnostic and intervention services at the recommended intervals to keep their language development on track.

Medical professionals play a critical role in ensuring that all children get hearing screening, diagnosis, and intervention services according to the EHDI 1-3-6 guidelines.