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About the Program HistoryThe Sound Start Program began in 1994 with a handful of volunteers who successfully sponsored legislation mandating newborn hearing screening on all infants at-risk for hearing loss. Further legislation passed in 1999 and signed into law in 2000 mandated hearing screening on all infants born in or transferred to a facility in Louisiana. No state funding was appropriated for this effort. Mission and VisionThe mission of this program is to assure that all infants who are deaf or hard of hearing can achieve their maximum potential in life. That is accomplished by assuring that early intervention services are secured as soon as possible. Early intervention may include the fitting of hearing aids and early developmental services before the child reaches six months of age. PurposeEarly identification and intervention has proven to positively affect the development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The purpose of this program is to assure that a state wide system of services is available for families that is coordinated, comprehensive, family-centered, community-based, and culturally sensitive. Future plansThe Advisory Council will be developing guidelines for screening pass/ refer criteria, appropriate hospital supervision guidelines, protocols and procedures for pediatric diagnostic audiology assessment. Regional directories for the eight other regions of the state will be completed. Continuing education in pediatric testing and hearing aid fitting will be provided statewide. |
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